Carrdus School in Banbury, Oxfordshire, a co-educational prep school for three-to-11-year-olds in Banbury, Oxfordshire, owned by girls’ school Tudor Hall, will close in the spring if it cannot find a buyer, the Daily Mail has reported.

In a letter to parents, chair of governors Alison Darling said falling numbers of pupils caused by VAT on school frees plus the hike in employers’ National Insurance mean Tudor Hall can no longer afford to finance the school.

Darling told parents: “You will know only too well that the introduction of VAT on independent school fees has put a great deal of pressure on parents and schools.

“Despite the support of our professional associations in lobbying the Government in recent months, the Government has not responded to the call to reconsider its policy nor, even, to delay implementation until September 2025”

She added: The outcome of VAT on school fees has resulted in a number of Carrdus parents giving notice to withdraw their child from the school either at the end of the autumn term, or at the end of the academic year.

“The combination of VAT across both schools, further compounded by the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, and the Carrdus pupil roll falling further below a sustainable number, means that Tudor Hall is no longer able to make the substantial financial commitment to Carrdus School that is required.”