St Hilda’s Preparatory School for Girls in Bushey, Hertfordshire is closing next month, citing financial pressures caused by the government’s decision to put VAT on private school fees, the Watford Observer has reported.

The school caters for girls aged four to 11. It has capacity for 190 children but currently the roll is only 144.

A spokesperson said: “The governing body has made the extremely difficult decision to close St Hilda’s Prep School and Bluebird Nursery at the end of this academic year.”

In February, the Aldenham Foundation, which runs the school, sent a letter warning it was assessing “the ongoing viability of the school (including the nursery)”.

The foundation added that “the ever-declining pupil roll combined with significant external economic pressures now make this a necessity”.