Bedstone College, a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Bucknell, Shropshire, is to close at the end of the summer term, the BBC has reported.

Bedstone has about 150 pupils, 30 of whom board. The school increased its fees for international students in September and lowered fees for British students, in response to the VAT charges.

Headmaster Ian Mullins said the school had been supported by “significant contributions” from its owner for the past five years, but it was not feasible for the aid to continue.

Mullins said the addition of VAT to private school fees and the rise in employer’s National Insurance contributions, had added “further pressure” to the school’s finances but stressed they were not the “root cause” of its closure.

The headmaster said he was seeking alternative school places for his pupils adding: “Our priority is to help students transition smoothly, ensuring they can continue studying their chosen subjects, preferably on the same syllabuses.”