The body representing private schools in Scotland has warned that the closure of the country’s only Catholic boarding school is an indication of the difficulties facing the sector.
Kilgraston School in rural Perthshire announced last night that it would close on 24 June after “being left with no alternative”. The school, which has been operating since 1930, has 217 pupils - predominantly girls - and 116 staff.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) said: “Kilgraston’s closure is a stark reminder of the financial pressure independent schools face, notwithstanding the impact of political measures - current and proposed - which treat independent schools separate from all other not-for-profit bodies.”
SCIS also said: “The announcement of the closure of Kilgraston School is devastating news for the pupils, their families and staff who have worked so hard to create a world-class learning environment where girls have flourished since 1930.
“SCIS will provide every support and assistance to staff and pupils to find alternative places to learn and work where they will continue to thrive like they did at Kilgraston.”
In its statement released just before 7pm last night, Thomas Steuart Fothringham, chairman of the board of trustees at Kilgraston School, said: “This has been an extremely challenging and heartbreaking decision. However, having considered and pursued all other alternatives we are, for reasons of financial viability, left with no alternative.
“The loss of income resulting from Covid-19 lockdowns; the effect of lengthy travel restrictions on the international boarding market; continuing decline in boarding demand generally; the resultant erosion of our cash reserves; and, finally, a number of pupil departures during the course of this year mean that we can no longer continue to trade responsibly beyond the end of this term.”
He added: “At this point, we have three priorities: the welfare of staff; the welfare of pupils; and assistance for parents in finding places for their children at other schools. We will do all we can to help ensure a smooth transition for all affected.
“We are very sorry not to be able to continue operating a school that is close to all our hearts.”
Earlier this week, Tes Scotland reported that pressure on the independent schools sector in Scotland was resulting in worsening pay, pensions and conditions for teachers, according to Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA).
Mr Searson made his comments in response to a Tes Scotland investigation, which found that several independent schools were looking to shed teaching posts through voluntary redundancy - with compulsory redundancies possible if the numbers failed to add up - and that teachers’ terms and conditions were also under threat.
