Belmont School in Dorking, Surrey has announced that it is to close at the end of this week, after 143 years of operation.

Belmont is an independent co-educational school for pupils aged from three to 16.

On the school’s website Belmont’s head of school Marc Broughton wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have contacted the parent body to confirm the closure of Belmont School on the 15th of December. We have worked tirelessly to exhaust all avenues to find an answer to this situation, but the Governing body, Save Belmont team and school leaders have sadly been unable to come up with a viable solution.

“In my short tenure as Belmont Head, I have been so immensely proud to lead a school with such wonderful staff and pupils. Since the moment I set foot on site it was clear that Belmont held a very special place in the hearts of so many people. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have been touched and overwhelmed by the Belmont community and the lengths that they have gone to in order to try and save the School. They have come together and displayed such strength and resilience at such a difficult time and for this they should be truly proud.”

The school’s chair of governors Andrew Baker added: “It is with deep disappointment that I can confirm Belmont school will close on the 15th of December as previously communicated on the 30th of November. Sadly, we have not been able to find a solution to save Belmont School. The rescue plan that was actioned by the Belmont community to try to save the School was a clear demonstration of the incredible spirit and community within the Belmont family and we are indebted to the efforts of so many.”