The closure of Leweston School, with barely a week’s notice, is a stark reminder that choosing the right school is about more than academic results, facilities and reputation. Parents must also have confidence in a school’s financial future.
The news that Leweston School in Dorset will not reopen after the October half-term has come as an enormous shock to its pupils, parents and staff.
Founded in 1891, Leweston has been part of the educational landscape for more than 130 years. Yet hundreds of children have suddenly found themselves without a school, and families have been given just days to make alternative arrangements.
For those approaching GCSEs or A-levels, the disruption is particularly worrying. Friendships, teachers, familiar routines and the security of school life cannot simply be replaced overnight.
Our thoughts are very much with everyone affected.
A school is a long-term commitment. Is its financial future secure?
For 20 years, the Independent Schools Show has helped parents navigate the often complicated process of choosing a school.
We encourage families to look beyond league tables and glossy prospectuses, to understand a school’s ethos, teaching, pastoral care and whether their child will genuinely thrive there.
But Leweston’s closure highlights another question that parents should now be asking: how financially secure is the school?
Leweston’s published accounts for the year ending July 2024 recorded an operating deficit of almost £487,000 and net current liabilities of approximately £2.7 million.
The governors’ financial forecasts depended on continued financial support, maintaining pupil numbers, securing further funding and achieving cost efficiencies.
These figures do not, on their own, explain the school’s sudden closure. But they demonstrate why financial due diligence should form part of the school selection process.
Parents routinely examine the financial health of businesses before making significant investments. Yet many commit hundreds of thousands of pounds to their children’s education without ever considering the financial position of the institution they are entrusting with that education.
That needs to change.
Five financial questions every parent should ask
Independent schools are facing considerable financial pressures. VAT on fees, rising employment costs, inflation and changing pupil numbers have created difficult conditions for some schools.
This does not mean that independent schools are generally financially insecure. Many have strong balance sheets, healthy reserves and long-term financial plans.
But parents should feel comfortable asking questions.
1. Is the school financially sustainable?
Ask whether the school is operating at a surplus or deficit and how its financial position has changed over recent years.
2. Are pupil numbers growing or declining?
A school’s financial stability often depends on maintaining sufficient pupil numbers. Consistent declines can be an early warning sign, although the reasons matter.
3. What do the school’s accounts reveal?
For charitable schools, financial statements are often available through the Charity Commission. Company accounts may be available through Companies House. Look at cash reserves, borrowing, liabilities and any comments about financial uncertainty.
4. How is the school responding to rising costs?
Ask how the school is managing VAT, staffing costs and future fee increases. Does it have a credible long-term strategy?
5. What happens if circumstances change?
Parents should understand the school’s ownership, governance and contingency arrangements, particularly when committing to a long educational journey.
No single financial indicator tells the whole story, and even strong accounts cannot guarantee a school’s future. But informed questions can provide reassurance and help families identify potential concerns.
Finding the right school, particularly when time is short
For Leweston families, these questions come too late to prevent the immediate disruption.
The priority now is finding a suitable school where children can settle quickly, continue their studies and regain some stability.
Leweston has announced that its pupils have been offered places within the Inspired Learning Group, including Clayesmore and Sunninghill Prep. This is welcome news, but families will understandably want to explore all their options.
At Bonas MacFarlane, our education consultants work with families to identify schools that suit their children’s academic abilities, personalities, interests and longer-term ambitions.
For parents facing an unexpected school move, we can help identify appropriate alternatives, make introductions to schools, navigate admissions requirements and manage the transition.
The right solution will be different for every child. Some families may want to remain close to home, while others may consider boarding or a different educational environment.
What matters is finding a school where the child can feel secure and happy, without compromising their education.
An opportunity to explore your options: 14 November, London
In just two weeks, on Saturday 14 November, the Independent Schools Show returns to RHS Lindley Hall in Westminster.
The event brings together more than 70 independent schools from London and across the UK, giving parents the opportunity to meet headteachers, admissions teams and education experts in person.
For families affected by Leweston’s closure, or indeed anyone questioning the future of their child’s current school, it is an opportunity to discover alternatives and have meaningful conversations directly with schools.
Our two education theatres will also feature a programme of talks addressing the decisions parents face, from admissions and school fees to boarding, scholarships and choosing the right educational pathway.
Most importantly, parents can ask the questions that matter to them, including those about a school’s long-term financial security.
Saturday 14 November 2026
10.00am–3.30pm
RHS Lindley Hall, Westminster, London
Free advance tickets available
Confidence matters as much as choice
The closure of a school midway through an academic year, with almost no warning, should concern everyone involved in independent education.
Schools are not simply businesses. They are communities built around children, families and teachers, often over generations.
Parents should be able to expect transparency about a school’s financial position and confidence that the institution they choose will be there for the duration of their child’s education.
The lesson from Leweston is not that parents should lose confidence in independent education. It is that they should be better informed.
There is no single best school, only the best school for your child. And part of making that choice must now include confidence in the school’s future.
Families seeking advice about an unexpected school move can contact Bonas MacFarlane for guidance on suitable alternatives.
The Independent Schools Show takes place on Saturday 14 November at RHS Lindley Hall, London. Advance tickets are free here: https://schoolsshow.co.uk/.