A ‘collective consultation period’ has been started with the staff at Wakefield Independent School in Wragby, with a proposed closure at the end of this academic year.

In a letter to parents, the school’s proprietor and chairman of the board of directors, Philip Hardy, said he was writing with ‘a broken heart and the profoundly sad news’.

A reduction in pupil numbers after the Government removed the private school fees VAT exemption is partly to blame, he said, adding: “Due to many factors outside of our control, and following a comprehensive financial review, months of lengthy meetings with landlords, lawyers, accountants, and experienced corporate solutions consultants, in an attempt to save the school, I have concluded there is no viable way but to put the proposal for closure forward.

“If we do not consider this decision now, I fear we could quickly run into an even-more-difficult situation at some point in the near future.

“The timing of this proposal has been fraught with the difficulty of balancing many considerations.

“We hope that making the announcement now gives staff, parents, and pupils, with our full support, several weeks before the end of term, and a full summer holiday, to make any necessary arrangements for the future, without sacrificing the education we’re determined to provide up to the end of term.”

He blamed a reduction in pupil numbers n caused by the Government’s VAT decision.

There have also been increases in business rates, the Minimum Wage, employers’ National Insurance contributions and outstanding fees.