School blames 'financial challenges' for closure

An independent school is set to close at the end of the school year, blaming "a sustained period of financial challenge".

Stoke College, in Stoke-by-Clare, Suffolk is a fee-paying school for pupils aged between 11 and 18. It currently has about 100 students.

A statement from the school said: "The school will not operate beyond the end of the summer term and does not intend to reopen for the 2026–27 academic year."

The school said the introduction of VAT on school fees was one of the financial pressures. The government said this was brought in to help pay for more state school teachers in England.

Stoke College, which has operated as a school since 1954, charges fees of up to £19,662 a year for day students and £38,421 for boarding pupils.

The school had been advertising in May for new admissions, having held an open morning.

Alongside the introduction of VAT on fees, the school pointed to "the removal of business rates relief, rising employment costs and increasing operational expenditure".

The latest published financial documents for Cambridge Stoke College Ltd show an after-tax loss of £1.6m for 2024.

The school was bought by new owners in November 2019.

Two other independent schools in Suffolk closed last year, with both blaming financial difficulties.

Stoke College said: "The immediate priority is to support students, families and staff through this transition and to ensure continuity of education for every child."

It said it would be working with other independent schools in the region to try and find pupils places.

Principal Kim Terrar said: "This is an incredibly sad day for everyone connected with Stoke College.

"While we do not yet know what the future holds for this beautiful site, my focus now is on finding the best way forward for our incredible students and staff."

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