Carrdus School, an independent co-educational day preparatory school for children aged 3 to 11, situated near Banbury, is set to close after the spring term in 2025 in the absence of a commercial solution being found.
The school, set in 11 acres of countryside at Overthorpe Hall, Blacklocks Hill, near Lower Middleton Cheney on the Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire borders, has been a cherished institution for decades.
The impending closure has been attributed to increasing financial pressures, including the mid-academic year introduction of VAT on independent school fees, the loss of charitable business rates relief, and rising employers’ national insurance contributions.
These factors have significantly impacted both the school’s finances and parents’ ability to afford fees, resulting in a noticeable number of student withdrawals.
In a statement, the Governors said, “It is with deep sadness that the Governors confirm that they are currently reviewing the future of Carrdus School and that it is likely to close from the end of the spring term in 2025 unless a commercial solution can be found.
“The Governors are actively continuing to explore all possible avenues to avoid closure but wanted to give the Carrdus community as much notice as possible at this stage.
“The introduction of VAT on independent school fees mid-academic year, further compounded by the loss of charitable business rates relief and the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions, has put a great deal of pressure on parents and schools.
“Consequently, a number of Carrdus parents have been left with no alternative option but to give notice to withdraw their child from the school either at the end of the autumn term or at the end of the academic year.
“Our focus is now on supporting the Carrdus families to secure places for their children at other local schools, as well as supporting the staff to ensure that the children continue to receive an outstanding education for the remainder of their time at Carrdus.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and staff who worked tirelessly to make Carrdus such a special school for generations of children who have flourished within its warm and nurturing community.
Carrdus School serves as the preparatory division of Tudor Hall School, a vibrant, independent boarding and day school for girls between 11 and 18 years old. Tudor Hall, located nearby, is home to approximately 300 students, with 75% boarding full-time.
