Bedstone Faculty, which has been open for almost 80 years, has cited monetary points as a contributing issue to the choice.
Headmaster Toby Mullins described the choice to shut the varsity, close to Knighton, as an “extremely troublesome second”.
Mr Mullins revealed the shock information in a letter despatched to folks on Thursday, February 13, with the closure bringing an finish to 77 years of training on the unbiased faculty.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I write to tell you that Bedstone will likely be closing on the finish of the summer season time period,” mentioned Mr Mullins in his letter to folks.
“This choice has not been taken frivolously and I recognize that it’ll come as an awesome shock and disappointment to you and your kids, because it has to us.
“Over the previous 5 years, the varsity has been sustained by vital monetary contributions from its proprietor, who has remained deeply dedicated to its success.
“Nonetheless, regardless of these efforts, it has grow to be clear that the varsity will not be financially viable in the long run.
“Whereas the upcoming VAT on faculty charges and Nationwide insurance coverage rise has added additional stress, this isn’t the foundation reason behind our closure – it’s merely the ultimate problem in what has already been an unsustainable state of affairs.”
Based mostly between Bedstone and Bucknell, the varsity has been open since 1948.
The school caters for kids aged three to 18 within the pre-preparatory, preparatory and senior faculties.
Mr Mullins’ letter was posted on social media by a number of individuals, with Powys residents reacting sadly to the information.
One former member of employees name it “very unhappy” saying the school “will likely be missed in numerous methods”.
One dad or mum mentioned she was “gutted” by the information.
Mr Mullins, in the meantime, mentioned he and his employees will “proceed to supply the very best customary of training till the final day of the educational yr” and that there will likely be no want for any instant adjustments.
“Within the coming days, I will likely be reaching out to native faculties to assemble details about out there locations for subsequent yr,” he added.
“Our precedence is to assist college students transition easily, making certain they will proceed their chosen topics – significantly these halfway via examination programs – and ideally on the identical syllabuses.
“I perceive that this information will elevate many questions and considerations, and I will likely be out there to talk with dad and mom individually or in teams to debate the subsequent steps.
“That is an extremely troublesome second for our faculty neighborhood, and I wish to categorical my deepest gratitude to your unwavering assist.
“The energy of our college students, employees and households has at all times been the guts of Bedstone, and I’m dedicated to making sure that the rest of this faculty yr is as optimistic and fulfilling as doable for each youngster.”
He mentioned a scheduled dad and mom’ assembly for 12 months 9 pupils after faculty on Friday will likely be postponed to be able to present a possibility for fogeys to fulfill with him to handle any queries concerning the future.
