A private girls' school in Mill Hill has announced it is to shut next year after 89 years.

The shock announcement by Mount School, in Milespit Hill, came yesterday - but parents have been assured no child will be without a school place.

Pupils have set up a Facebook group about its closure and the letter sent to parents by headteacher Catherine Cozens has been published on the site.

It says the school is to merge with the Mill Hill Schools Foundation - Grimsdell Pre-Preparatory School, Belmont Hill Preparatory School and Mil Hill Private School, in The Ridgeway.

Under the plans, a new school known as the International Study Centre will also be created for girls and boys up to year 11 who do not speak English as their first language.

It will be both a day and boarding school and be located on the current Mount School site, in Milespit Hill.

The school was first opened in 1915 and is a day school for pupils aged three to 18-years-old.

A spokeswoman for the school has confirmed the statement is accurate and will not be commenting further.