Historic UK private school shuts without warning leaving hundreds of students abandoned

A private school charging up to £14,990 per term has announced it will not reopen following the October half term.

Leweston, a Catholic boarding and day school near Sherborne, Dorset, gave no reason for its sudden closure.

“We are very sorry what this means for our pupils, their families and our staff, and for how little notice we have been able to give,” the school said on its website. “Families and staff have been contacted directly.”

Every Leweston pupil has been offered a place from 2 November at a school in the Inspired Learning Group, including Clayesmore School and Sunninghill Prep. Both private schools are located around 19 miles away.

Private school announces sudden closure

Leweston School, which was originally founded in 1891 as St Anthony’s, was sold to a subsidiary of Concept Education in December 2025 – which also runs the Marist School in Ascot, Berkshire.It registered for a loan from HSBC Bank in March 2026.

The school’s alumni include BAFTA-winning actor Kristin Scott Thomas and musician Zoë Schwarz.

Leweston charged £7,909 per term for Year 7 and 8 day schoolers, £8,475 per team for Year 9 to 11 and £8,286 per term for Years 12 and 13.

For its Leweston Full package, which offered accommodation seven nights a week, fees totalled up to £12,880 per term. International students with full boarding paid up to £14,990 per term.

Is Labour’s VAT raid to blame?

On social media, people have speculated that the school’s sudden closure is due to Labour applying 20 per cent VAT to private school education and boarding fees – a policy which came into force last year to raise more money to fund state schools.

Leweston did not comment on the VAT raid and has limited comments on its social media posts.

“I feel so sad for you all,” one person wrote on Facebook. “I’m an old student and loved every second of my time here.”

Another said: “I’m so sorry this has happened. I am an old pupil and there is a big group of us from my year who are still in touch,” while a third added: “I have so many wonderful memories as a student. This is terrible news and my heart goes out to the teachers, students, nuns and community.”

The Independent has contacted Concept Education for comment.