Abbotsholme School, a 137-year-old private institution on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border, closed with just 30 minutes' notice on Wednesday, June 10, leaving around 200 pupils stranded. Parents received an email from director Tony Costigan at 4.11pm, during the last class, stating that the school would shut immediately due to safety concerns, except for those taking GCSE and A-level exams.
The closure follows months of financial turmoil. The school's 2024 accounts showed liabilities exceeding assets by £1,514,645. In May, the estate was bought by businessmen Syd Phillimore and Jamie Buchanan, who leased operations to Abbotsholme 2026 Ltd, led by Conservative councillor and insolvency practitioner Tony Costigan. The deal sparked fears the land was prioritised over education, though landlords called it a rescue.
On June 7, head teacher Charlotte Molloy had assured parents the school would reopen in September. But on June 10, Costigan reversed that, citing insufficient staff—many teachers had worked unpaid for two months and stopped attending. Boarding pupils remain on-site until collection arrangements are confirmed.
Angry parents are seeking refunds for the remainder of the academic year, summer activities, and autumn term fees, which range from £2,846 per term for youngest day pupils to £15,510 for international boarders. It remains unclear if the closure is temporary or permanent.
