Cash crisis ends 109-year history

4:04pm Friday 9th June 2006

An independent school which has taught girls in Ashtead for 109 years has announced it is to close next month.

Parsons Mead School, which occupies a 12-acre site in Ottways Lane, was founded by governess Jessie Elliston to prepare daughters of gentlemen for home life.

This week its educational trust said financial difficulties and a lack of pupils would prevent the £9,650-a-year school opening after the summer term.

Letters giving official notification were sent to parents of the 228 pupils on Monday evening.

Some recipients immediately contacted the Epsom Guardian to express concerns at the disruption to 38 girls sitting GCSE or AS-level exams.

But William House, secretary of the trust, insisted their welfare and finding new places for pupils and staff were priorities.

He said: "This decision has not been taken lightly, and it is very sad for all concerned.

"Parsons Mead has a strong reputation as a school, and I pay tribute to the staff, in particular, who have worked so hard in the past difficult few years.

"People have been aware that the future of the school was uncertain this has contributed to the declining number of applications for places."

Parsons Mead, which faces a "substantial financial deficit" this year, can house 400 pupils but had a prospective roll of just 200 for September.

Changing demographics and lessening interest in single-sex schools have been blamed for the shortfall.

The decision to close on July 7 was taken after a meeting of the council of trustees, and consultation with auditors, bankers and lawyers.

It is understood the trust could have been in danger of breaking the terms of its charitable status.

The landscaped site - once a meadow owned by local clergymen - will be sold to cover the debt. Remaining proceeds will be retained for future charitable development.