Private school announces 'heartbreaking' closure

A 132-year-old private school has announced it will close in what it described as a "heartbreaking end to the community".

St Joseph's School in Reading said in a statement that its Board of Governors, supported by the headmistress and interim bursar, had "explored numerous options" to save the school.

However, it said rising costs had "significantly impacted" the college and its fee-paying parents.

Parents have shared their sadness at the closure of the school on Friday, which taught children aged three to 18 and was attended by 565 pupils.

The college said the the financial pressure on the school was increased by the introduction of VAT on fees and the removal of business rates relief.

It said it had looked into opportunities to be acquired by a schools' group, to merge with another school, as well as prospects for financial investment.

Chair of governors Hilary Buckle said: "We want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who came forward with suggestions to keep the school open, but unfortunately none of these were able to provide a sustainable future for St Joseph's College."

In a letter sent to parents earlier this year, headmistress Laura Stotesbury said unless the school received a significant cash injection it would shut.

She described the closure as an "extremely sad day for the whole college community".

Rajvant, whose daughter Anya, aged seven, was in year two, said: "It was in a great location.

"The teachers and the ethos and that whole kind of lovely community is never going to be the same."

Rajvant is now sending Anya to a co-educational private school in Berkshire.

She said: "She's sort of randomly burst into tears, now and over the last few weeks because, you know, two of her best friends are going to Abbey School, whereas I've chosen Reddam.

"For me personally, I'm hoping that it will come back as a school, and I hope that Reading Borough Council get involved to make sure that it isn't a large developer that comes along and builds a block of flats, but it will come back as a school."

Oliver De Maringey will send his sons, one who is in reception and the other who is in year five, to state schools.

He expressed sadness at the loss of the school.

"People had to scrimp and save and run 20-year-old cars to pay for this education, but it wasn't out of reach," he said.

"It was an affordable, diverse school which catered for all in society."