Conservative peer, Lord Jonathan Caine, spoke of his ‘sadness’ over the closure of the historic Fulneck School in Pudsey, Leeds, during a debate in the House of Lords.

It was revealed last week that the school would close this summer due to decreasing enrolment and growing operational costs.

The private day and boarding school has been operating for 270 years and has seen the likes of Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith; and suffragist, Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, through its doors.

Speaking of his sadness at its pending closure, Lord Caine told the Lords: “Fulneck, for those who do not know, is famous for educating, among others, the great Liberal Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith; and the late, great Dame Diana Rigg; along with a very close friend of mine, who was absolutely devastated to hear the news this morning.

“Fulneck is part of a Moravian settlement in Pudsey, which includes a Grade I-listed church and many other listed buildings.

“It is a unique part of the heritage of Leeds and the broader West Riding of Yorkshire, a large part of which will now be lost forever.”

The closure comes after Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced plans to levy VAT on private school fees, which many operators are blaming for dwindling student numbers.