St Gerard's School in Bangor, a Welsh private school founded more than a century ago, has permanently closed and entered administration. The school shut its doors for good on Friday, July 3, after 111 years of operation, with trustees citing financial pressures including the Labour government's imposition of VAT on school fees, National Insurance costs, and loss of charitable status.
Historic institution forced to shut
The school was founded by the Catholic religious institute the Sisters of Mercy in 1915 and moved to its long-time home on Ffriddoedd Road two years later. In the 1990s, it came under the control of St. Gerard's School Trust when the Sisters of Mercy moved away from private education. A letter to parents from trustees and management explained that financial pressures made it impossible to continue operating, with struggles in maintaining pupil numbers also contributing to the decision, made with a "heavy heart," according to the North Wales Chronicle.
The government removed the VAT exemption on private school fees at the start of the year to make more funding available for state school teachers in England. Ahead of the closure, the school said it was helping families find other options for pupils and assisting staff in finding other employment.
Administration confirmed
A notice published in The Gazette on Monday, July 13 confirmed that the trust operating the school went into administration on the last day of term. Simon Farr and Anthony Collier, both of insolvency practitioners FRP Advisory, were appointed as joint administrators.
Political reaction
Helen Jenner MS, Reform UK Wales's deputy leader and Member of the Senedd for Bangor Conwy Môn, expressed sadness as a former teacher who worked in education for 15 years. In a statement, she said: "A school that has been part of Bangor for generations is now closing its doors, and it's the pupils, parents and staff who will carry the uncertainty and worry that comes with it. What frustrates me is that nobody in government seems willing to speak honestly about the knock on effect this will now have on the wider education system in Wales."
She added: "Those pupils still need educating. Many will now move into a state sector that is already under immense strain due to stretched budgets, recruitment problems and falling standards. Wales sits at the bottom of UK PISA rankings, yet instead of focusing energy on improving outcomes, The Labour UK government has chosen to pile more and more pressure onto independent schools out of pure ideological spite. This should never be about politics or point scoring. Every parent simply wants their child to feel safe, supported and to have the best possible chance in life. That's what I believe education should be about."
The Treasury has been approached for comment.
