Fernhill Closure

[doyouknowthemuffinman017]

How truly sad for all family, staff and pupils. Hoping the amalgamation with St Aloysius goes smoothly but such a change of culture from Fernhill setting and size to the vast city centre campus of St Als.

Never heard of either of them, assume this is in Glasgow?

Is it actually merging with St Als? A number of the other private schools (Belmont House, Hamilton College and Kelvinside Academy) also have links on their websites for Fernhill parents who are looking to move their children.
I wonder if this closure is linked to the news coming out this week about financial irregularities at Fernhill. The school's website was still advertising yesterday that it would be holding an open day today for prospective pupils.

This has been coming for a while. Friends moved their kids to Hutchison because they were concerned about the financial position.

There is no amalgamation is there?

They've not even properly announced they are closing - just asking people to stay loyal to them until the end of the session while changes are happening.

Lots of the other private schools have statements inviting Fernhill families to get in touch, not just St Aloysius.

It'll be interesting to see what comes of the investigation as there were rumours about money being skimmed off a couple of years ago that just died

I think it’s just that Fernhill have agreed that St Als will take all of their pupils. But no doubt lots of the parents will decide to send their kids to some of the other Glasgow private schools instead. I actually went to Fernhill and it is very sad but there are lots of better private schools in the city so long term I am sure the kids will be fine.

Yes definitely - I’m only surprised Fernhill lasted this long. I have also sent my kids to Hutchie.

All the news of the closure has come via other private schools. Fernhill's own statement is very vague. Kelvinside is offering immediate places with a fee break and exam support.
Looking at Companies House, the auditors resigned in October because the trustees couldn't provide an explanation as to why dormant company accounts had been filed for 2023 and 2024. Dormant company accounts should only be filed where the company hasn't bought or sold anything, which clearly wasn't the case here. The last set of proper accounts that were filed (to 31/7/22) question the viability of the company.

The story has now been picked up by the press.

https://www.glasgowworld.com/news/fernhill-school-is-to-close-after-scrutiny-from-charity-regulator-5497782?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrIihleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOcTBMcDJBa1l0RHY3a3d0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuw0JifvRxg-D3GOrvJQmee1zpsARFitFGP11BjgWtrAURSTd6Lg0kQmZxX5_aem_pg0qEQz8iM6-h_f-FL3n4Q

I would not like to be one of the trustees in this situation. It's not a role to be taken on lightly and any financial mismanagement can result in a custodial sentence if you are found to be at fault.

St Als Campus is hardly vast but yes very very different locations. Having experience of both schools I would say very similar atmosphere, pastoral care etc.

it sounds like there may be some potential for some staff to go to St Als but I presume it will depend on how many children end up transferring.I think Kelvinside has been very popular with families leaving Fernhill but a lot will come down to location and how committed families are to a Catholic education.

it is good they plan on staying open until June, especially for the children who have got exams but if I had a child in, say S2 who had to pick options, I am not sure I would wait.

I didn't go but had family members who went and knew a fair few who did. They had issues back in 2014 but a wee keek at the Companies House records in recent years is really quite alarming. OSCR now investigating.

Yes, I had a look at Companies House too and it hasn't broken even in almost every year in over 20 years. Even where it has made a surplus it has done so by the skin of its teeth. The £173k that was raised to keep it open in 2014 was really needed every year.
Friends sent their daughter there in 2012 (a very last minute decision just after Easter) and from memory the school was offering 100% bursaries to attract new families. They were happy with the school, as were neighbours who sent their son from nursery until P6. They would have left him until he had to leave at the end of P7 but he would have been almost the only boy in the year.

It was actually the bursary kids I was thinking of. Especially sad for them.