The school told parents they had tried to secure the long-term future of the school but it had not been possible
Durham High School (Image: Google Maps)
A private school which has been operating in the North East for 142 years will close for good today. Durham High School in Durham, which has 281 pupils, will enter administration following the end of term.
The school sent a letter to parents on Wednesday in which they confirmed that they would be closing at the end of the academic year. In the letter, which has been seen by ChronicleLive, they said they had tried to secure the long-term future of the school but it had not been possible.
The school say they are working closely with a number of local schools to help families secure places for September. ChronicleLive readers have described the sudden closure as “daunting” and “A really sad loss.”
One person posted: “My thoughts are with the staff, pupils and parents. Changing schools is daunting enough, but this closure was sudden. There should be some sort of protection in place for scenarios such as these.”
Another person said: “As a teacher myself in Newcastle, I really hope that both staff and pupils were given more notice than this. It will be incredibly daunting for all finding new jobs and school places for the next academic year, especially when schools are currently slowing down for the summer holidays.
“Most jobs have also been taken as well – there’s hardly anything available on TES in the North East at the moment. My heart goes out to all of DHS. Such a sad state of affairs.”
A third person posted: “How sad! Durham Girls High School no more! Our heritage and institutions are being dismantled and once lost will never be restored! I think of the girls in my youth in their green and gold uniforms who will now, like myself, be old ladies. It is a sad loss to our city!”
A fourth person added: “Just a reminder, council schools are also facing closure. The staff, pupils and parents of those schools are suffering as well. Its for the same reason the land is worth more with houses built on it.”
In the letter to parents, the school said: “We are deeply sorry that we have reached this point and fully appreciate the shock and distress this news will cause to pupils, families and staff. We know that many of you have placed your trust in Durham High School for your child’s education, and we understand how difficult this announcement will be.
“Over recent months, every effort to secure the long-term future of the school has been made, including discussions with potential partners. Regrettably, despite those efforts, it has not been possible to secure a viable future for the school and the company will therefore enter administration following the end of the term.”
In a statement, published on their website on Wednesday, the school praised their “talented and deeply committed” staff and thanked parents for being so “caring and compassionate” in their love for the school.
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