Leweston School, a historic Catholic day and boarding school in Sherborne, Dorset, has closed without warning during the half-term break, becoming the latest casualty of the pressures facing Britain's independent education sector. The closure brings the tally of private schools shutting after Labour's targeting of independent education to 72.
The school, which has a chapel dating back to 1616, sent an email to parents of its almost 600 pupils announcing the closure, but provided no further details. A statement on the school's website said: "Leweston School will not reopen after half term and will close. We are very sorry for what this means for our pupils, their families and our staff and for how little notice we have been able to give."
Impact on Pupils and Staff
Founded in 1891, Leweston educates 577 boys and girls aged two to 19, from nursery through to sixth form. The closure leaves thousands of pupils across the country forced to find places in already overcrowded state schools, with the taxpayer expected to bear the cost.
An email sent to parents at nearby King's Bruton school said: "This has come as a huge shock to the Leweston community, staff and families alike, and our thoughts are with all of them at what will be a heartbreaking and distressing time."
Policy Background
Under a policy devised by Jeremy Corbyn, championed by Angela Rayner and enacted by Keir Starmer, Labour imposed VAT on private-school fees and stripped charitable private schools in England of business-rate relief. The move has been criticised as the politics of envy and a policy that will end up costing the taxpayer more than it saves.
Earlier this year, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, called the moves "an unprecedented tax on education" and warned: "We are likely to see further closures over the coming months and years as the effects of VAT and other tax measures mount up."
Recent Partnership
In November 2025, Leweston announced a partnership with Concept Education and the Catholic Schools' Trust. Governors' chairman Ian Lucas said the deal would bring fresh expertise and investment.
