School shuts over 'mounting' costs and 'unpaid fees'

Brookes UK School has closed with immediate effect due to financial pressures

An independent school has permanently closed and declared a state of insolvency after facing "mounting financial pressures" and "unpaid fees", it said.

Brookes UK School, based in Risby, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, announced the closure on its website on Monday.

According to the most recent government data, there were 68 pupils enrolled at the school, which has capacity for 160 children aged of two to 18.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said it would support parents in finding their children a place in state-funded schools.

According to inspection documents, the Brooks Education Group acquired the site in 2015.

"This school has always been more than just a place of learning," said David Rose, the group's director.

"It has been a community of committed educators, supportive families, and talented young people. We are devastated to see it close."

The school said it had made "tireless efforts" to address the issues, but would now enter voluntary liquidation, a decision which had "not been taken lightly".

"The school has faced mounting financial pressures, including rising operational costs, reduced enrolment, unpaid fees, and the cumulative impact of wider economic challenges," its statement said.

"After exploring every viable option to secure funding and support, the board concluded that closure was the only responsible course of action."

The county council added that it would share appropriate sign posting and supporting guidance documents with affected parents.

In February the school announced it was moving away from the national curriculum with pupils instead taking International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In 2023 inspectors of the school raised several concerns over the school's leaders and managers in fulfilling their responsibilities as well as behaviour management and safeguarding arrangements.

A progress inspection the following year found the school had addressed the concerns, however.

Brooks Education Group has other schools in Canada and India.

'Devastated'

Georgia McGhee lives near Bury St Edmunds and had recently enrolled her 13 year-old daughter at the school.

She says she was "devastated" when she heard the news of the closure.

Ms McGhee said the family had taken "a lot of careful consideration" when choosing the school and that her daughter had been due to start in September.

She said she had paid term fees ahead of the new school year but had been told by the insolvency company that her family were "probably at the bottom of a very long line of people that need paying before us".

She said there had been no indication from anyone at the school that a closure was likely and it had come as a "shock".