Sudden school closure 'outrageous', MP says

An MP has said he is "shocked and appalled" by the sudden closure of a 135-year-old private school during half term.

Leweston School, near Sherborne, Dorset, announced on its website on Tuesday that it would "not reopen after half term, and will close".

In a letter to staff, Concept Education, whose subsidiary bought the school in December 2025, said wages owed in October would not be paid.

Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, said staff were given no warning and nearly 600 children had been left without school places.

The Catholic day and boarding school has a 46-acre campus with facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, a theatre and a purpose-built equestrian centre.

Its alumni include actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Baroness Dido Harding, who headed the NHS test and trace programme during the pandemic.

The school's former head of physics, Robert Nejako, said: "I literally got an email with a screen cap [capture] of a letter that wasn't even on letterhead.

"It was poorly written, misspelled, all of it. Shambles doesn't begin to describe what this was."

Parent Stuart Hamon said the news came as a "complete shock", in an email that was sent to parents 30 minutes after staff were told.

"People thought that it was a joke initially," he said.

"Then the realisation started to set in that actually this was a real event so people were shocked, horrified."

Another parent, Zara, said she had lost two years of a midwife's salary in upfront school fees.

A third, Dr Shobhana Marathe, said: "All of the Leweston community is really struggling – we are just trying to figure out ways a miracle happens and we can keep the school open."

The letter from Concept Education chief executive Hugh Dickinson told staff: "The school cannot pay the salaries due on Friday 30 October... I am very sorry."

It blamed a "cash shortfall caused by falling pupil numbers".

The letter also cited pressures including the introduction of VAT on school fees, the loss of business rates relief, higher employment costs and a decline in boarding demand.

Amy Brinsden, from the National Education Union, said: "Staff are looking for answers.

"Less than a year ago, they were being told that a new partnership with Concept Education and the Catholic Schools' Trust would help secure the school's future.

"That leaves some very obvious questions about what changed, when concerns first emerged, and whether everything that could have been done to avoid this outcome was actually done."

Morello said: "The regulators, the authorities, Dorset Council weren't informed so nobody could prepare, no-one could plan.

"It really is just an outrageous way for Concept Education to act."

The Liberal Democrat said he had heard of one family who had paid four years of school fees in advance.

Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset, posted on Facebook: "I am increasingly concerned to hear that prepaid fees will not be refunded and that staff have not been paid."

Dorset Council said it was "working urgently" to support children, young people and families affected by the closure.

Paul Dempsey, the council's executive director for children's services, said: "We know this news has come as a significant shock for many children, young people, families and staff connected to Leweston School.

"Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected and helping families understand the options available to them.

"Teams across the council are working closely with schools, early years providers and other partners to help children continue their education and childcare arrangements with as little disruption as possible."

Dempsey encouraged anyone who needed support to get in touch with the council's teams.

Concept Education has been approached for comment.