High-achieving Wearside school announces shock closure

Sunderland High School, which was 16th in the Sunday Times' top 100 prep schools of 2015, will close its doors at the end of the academic year after bosses were faced with the 'economic reality' that current and projected pupil numbers would not be sufficient to secure its long-term future.

In an open letter to parents published on the school's website, John Clarke, chief executive of United Church Schools Trust, the charity which runs the school, said pupil numbers at the school had been slashed in half over the last decade.

The school, which is based in Tonstall House, Sunderland, was founded in 1883, with its closure bringing to and end over 130 years of education.

The school teaches from nursery years up to A-levels.

One shocked parent said the news had come 'out of the blue'.

The worried parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said; "This has come completely out of the blue. The first I heard of it was when another parent rang and told me a statement had been put on the school's website. I'm shell-shocked, I expected my child to stay on throughout senior school".

Mr Clarke said: "It is with great regret that I am writing to inform you that Sunderland High School will close at the end of this academic year. Despite Sunderland High School’s deserved reputation as an excellent school, the economic reality is that current and projected pupil numbers cannot secure the school’s long-term future.

"Numbers have fallen from over 580 in the school in 2006 to around 280 today – reflecting a decline across the North East.

"Despite the continued high quality of education at the school, this fall in numbers has meant that the school has been making a significant financial loss and is no longer viable."

Mr Clarke said the trust had been forced to subsidise the school's budget for the last five years, but said it had reached the point where further cost-cutting measures would impact on the education of learners.

He added: "Substantial savings have been made but the school will still make a six-figure loss this year and was projected to do so again next year. In addition, in order to maintain the school’s facilities and estate, substantial capital investment is required. We have reached the point at which any further cost savings would now directly impact on the quality of education on offer. In that context, we cannot justify continuing a long-term subsidy of the school.

"As a charity, our only source of funds is from our other schools and ultimately fee-paying parents there. While we are very prepared to invest in schools for as long as there is a realistic prospect of them breaking even, we cannot justify doing so when there is no longer that prospect. I deeply regret that we have had to take this decision, which I know will come as a shock and considerable disappointment to parents, pupils and staff."

The school will continue to 'function as normal' until the end of the academic year - including planned examinations and previously scheduled school trips.

School bosses will hold meetings with parents on Wednesday, while drop-in sessions for concerned parents will be held at the school on Tuesday.