Pitsford School, the Northamptonshire institution where Queen Elizabeth II first learned to ride a horse, will permanently close on Friday, July 10, after the headmaster said the school had exhausted every option to keep it open.
Reasons for closure
The school blamed the Labour government's introduction of VAT on private school fees, along with the removal of business rates relief, increases in the National Living Wage, higher interest rates, and wider economic uncertainty. Headmaster Dr Craig Walker stated that these external economic pressures have placed significant strain on independent schools across the country.
Pitsford School operates from Pitsford Hall, a Grade II-listed property that once belonged to George Drummond, a politician who served six terms as Lord Provost of Edinburgh and was a founding director of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The school currently educates approximately 200 children aged 4 to 18, with fees ranging from £3,360 to £5,835 per term.
Royal connections
The late Queen Elizabeth II learned to ride a horse at the estate, regularly visiting Pitsford Hall with her father King George VI and her mother Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). The school's strong royal associations made it a notable institution in the region.
Parent reaction
The timing of the closure announcement has drawn criticism from parents. One parent wrote on the school's Facebook page that the news was 'sad' and added that 'telling people with three weeks' notice before the end of term, children are very upset.' Another parent commented: 'I cannot believe it 3 weeks before break up my son is a teacher there to be told yesterday is terrible. Sorry for other teachers etc who need to get a job ASAP to keep afloat.' A third parent said: 'More destruction from Labour and Rachel Reeves. To think that the incoming is even more of a socialist is pretty scary!'
