Our Lady’s Abingdon (OLA), a private school near Abingdon town centre that has served the community for more than 160 years, has closed with immediate effect after governors said they had “exhausted every possible option to secure the school’s future.”
Students were warned at the end of term that the school might not be there after the holidays and that they might need to start looking elsewhere, but many still hoped it would survive. Two sixth formers I spoke to believed closure might come within the next three to five years — not so suddenly.
Both said they had enjoyed a wonderful education at OLA and, thanks to scholarships and bursaries, had been able to attend a school that would otherwise have been beyond their reach. They were expecting their A Level results in three days and expressed sympathy for fellow students and staff whose futures are now uncertain.
They estimated that around 20% of the sixth form came from Abingdon, with an even higher proportion in the lower years, meaning the closure will likely put additional pressure on local state schools.
In a statement, the governors said:
“It is with our deepest regret that we inform our parents, students, staff, and local community that the Governors have taken the heartbreaking decision to close the school with immediate effect… The spirit of this community, and the values it upholds, will endure long after our doors close.”
The statement said falling pupil numbers and rising costs linked to VAT on school fees, higher National Insurance contributions, the end of business rates relief for independent schools, and general inflation as key factors in the decision.
Probably no bad thing. Faith schools are becoming an anachronism. With child abuse scandals tainting the Catholic church and hideous things being committed in the name of other world religions, children need to receive an eclectic, secular education and taught to make their own minds up about the important things in life. Apologies if this offends anyone connected with the school.
Only quite a small proportion of the pupils were Catholic, and all the staff were secular. It was not overly religious (not even weekly chapel services like I had at St Helen’s back in the day), but it was the kindest school I have encountered. Perhaps kindness is not enough of a business plan.
I admit I had no dealings with the school but as it was attached to the Catholic church I don’t think it was unreasonable to assume it was a Catholic school. Other people have quoted mismanagement and a fall in pupil numbers so there must have been something wrong.
Michael- you clearly have no knowledge of the school community or how it operated
The school has been visibly suffering from poor management since the change in head 2021, when it lost it’s direction to chasing rainbows rather than concentrating on it’s unique offer. When a thriving Six Form goes down to less than 10 pupils this is the fault of management resulting in high staff turnover and not Vat.
Hi who was the Head upto 2021? Just wondering if it was the same one I had when I went there (admittedly quite some time ago now!).
interesting comment, no mention of this in news coverage. sounds likely as apparently numbers were down before vat ever reared it’s head.
As an insider all I can say is that the COO worked as hard as possible to ensure that the school could stay open. Very sad news
Is that you Prav? The rumour is that the COO is partly to blame for the demise of OLA. He also stepped down mid July, before things became problematic, so no longer has legal responsibilities to deal with the winding down of OLA
“As an insider all I can say is that the COO worked as hard as he could”
Parents have withdrawn children due to problems with high staff turnover and chaotic leadership. Since the new head joined 4 years ago (who disappeared on full pay this January), pretty much all the staff have left.
Poor governance (chair of governors in Australia) poor management and overpaid (incompetent?) bursar have caused this. It is nothing to do with VAT.
The concerns of MANY parents ignored so they voted with their feet. Like we did.
I did a Google search and fees were about £23k a year, everything else aside, it’s a lot of money for parents to find now, after relentless increases in food, electricity, gas, water, rent, and raised interest rates leading to higher mortgage repayments these past years. Those who can still afford private school even after all that are likely sending their children to other schools, and if say OLA management haven’t been so on the ball, that certainly wouldn’t have helped either.
I went to state school, but I did have some swimming lessons at “the convent” as it was called years ago, it’s a shame – and a shock – for current pupils and staff. Imagine the stress of having to find a new school during Summer holidays?
I was weekly border 40 years ago this year in yt 9 and the swimming pool was lovely! One of the few good things about the school! The nuns were bullies towards many of us though
well it does take a certain type of person to be a nun i’d have thought
Yes Rudi it’s called dedication and a conviction of belief
Just as a note, there is a whatsapp group for parents affected by this.
“Students were warned at the end of term that the school might not be there after the holidays” – no they weren’t! Parents and Students were repeatedly told the school would definitely still be open, that there was a solid financial plan in place.