Historic school open for more than 100 years to close doors ‘with much sadness’

Historic school open for more than 100 years to close doors ‘with much sadness’ The historic school will not reopen for the next school year in September 2026 due to 'financial pressures', it has been announced, as accounts show huge debts A private school open for more than a century has closed with 'great sadness' due to financial issues. The Essex based primary school will not reopen in September, leaving pupils having to find spots at other schools. Avon House Prepataory School in Woodford Green was founded over 100 years ago under the name Essex House before being renamed in the early 50s. The school has been based on the current site since 1965. Parents of students were reportedly informed about the closure due to 'financial pressures' on August 4. A letter was sent to parents and carers on August 4, informing them of the closure. The school's website reads: "It is with much sadness that we are announcing the closure of the school with immediate effect." The statement continues to address the financial issues the school was facing as the last publicly available accounts show amounts falling due within one year of £1,788,442. "We have explored a number of options to try and save the school from closure but in recent days it became obvious that was not meant to be," the statement continues. "The school has struggled with financial pressures including the introduction of VAT on school fees and the rise in NI and pension costs." Avon House welcomed children from age three until year six and cost parents yearly fees of up to £17,895 per child. Carers were informed: "Despite every effort to secure a sustainable future for the school, including exploring opportunities for investment, merger and sale, it has not been possible to find a financially viable way forward," reports EssexLive. Philip James Watkins and Philip Lewis Armstrong both of FRP Advisory Trading Limited were appointed administrators on August 7. The school is the latest in a line of private institutions that has announced its closure partly due to the introduction of VAT on school fees. Stoke College, in Stoke-by-Clare, Suffolk operated as a school since 1954 and shut for the final time on July 1.