Parents likely to lose money after school closure

The front entrance of a school. The school's blue sign can be seen on the right hand side above a wall. On the left large wooden gates are closed. — Image caption,
Administrators have been appointed to assess debts incurred by Our Lady's Abingdon

Chris McHugh

BBC News

5 hours ago

Parents of children at a private school that closed last month are unlikely to be paid back any money lost through fees or deposits, the BBC understands.

Our Lady's Abingdon (OLA), in Oxfordshire, announced its closure in August, citing a "range of economic factors", including the introduction of VAT on school fees.

FRP Advisory has been appointed as liquidator and is looking to recover debts incurred by the school.

Following the school's closure, parents and families criticised the school's leadership for "dropping off the face of the earth".

The BBC has been told parents are unlikely to be paid because the assets of other creditors - such as lenders and HMRC - have more security.

A close up of a large padded chain lock with a combination code wrapped around metal gates. Behind the gates an expansive green sports field can be seen. — Image caption,
The school's buildings and playing fields in Abingdon are now lying empty

In July 2025, governing body Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Ltd submitted a "serious incident report" to the Charity Commission regarding the school's impending closure due to a drop in pupil numbers.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said it had reminded the trust that its accounts were overdue and that it expected them to be filed "as soon as possible".

OLA's former staff are likely to receive a lump sum through the government's Redundancy Payment Service.

This is available to employees when owed redundancy from employers unable to pay due to insolvency.

A view of two large redbrick Victorian buildings with smart gardens in the foreground. Both buildings are grand at least 3 stories high. — Image caption,
Control of the school site will now transfer back to a Catholic order, the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy

OLA's buildings and land will return to the control of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, a catholic order based in Leeds, which founded the school in the 19th Century.

Announcing its closure in August, the school said it had been "under financial pressure for some time" and had been left with "no viable way forward".

It added an increase in fees had become "unaffordable" for some parents and had led to a decline in pupil numbers.

FRP Advisory was contacted for a comment.