**St Clare’s School in Porthcawl Faces Closure Amid Financial Storm**
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the community, St Clare’s School, a leading independent institution in Porthcawl, has announced it may cease operations at the end of the autumn term 2025. The proposed closure, officially confirmed through a letter to parents and staff, comes as the result of a “rapidly changing environment” for private education, with school management placing blame on a range of economic and demographic factors.
The news was delivered to staff just two hours before it reached parents via letter at 6pm on 6 May, sparking immediate distress among the school community. Many families and staff were reported to be in tears, with the gravity of the announcement clearly felt at meetings held the following day. Parents described the process as abrupt, saying they had no prior warning of the gravity of the situation.
Established over 85 years ago, St Clare’s has long enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence and inclusive education, offering places for pupils from nursery through to sixth form. School fees reportedly range from £2,000 to £6,000 per term. The school, owned and operated by Cognita UK, currently educates approximately 150 pupils and employs a team dedicated to maintaining high standards in independent learning.
In her letter to parents, Nicola Lambros, General Manager for Cognita UK, explained that the school had recently undergone a thorough review to assess future sustainability. Despite its academic success, projections for pupil numbers were described as “unsustainable”, with Lambros pointing to economic volatility and a significant drop in the local birth rate. “After careful consideration and extensive deliberation, we have begun a consultation process regarding the proposed closure,” she wrote, emphasising that every effort would be made to support families in securing alternative placements for their children.
The school’s predicament is widely seen as a barometer for independent education in Wales, with the Welsh Independent Schools Council (WISC) warning that as many as 19 other private schools in the country face a similar fate. WISC has repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of new government measures, including the introduction of a 20% VAT on school fees due in January 2025, the withdrawal of charitable business rates relief from April 2025, and the increased rate of employer National Insurance contributions. These combined factors are predicted to cost the sector millions and cause substantial disruption to thousands of pupils.
WISC issued a statement expressing “deep regret” at the situation facing St Clare’s. The Council’s analysis suggests up to 6,500 pupils in Wales could be displaced by these closures, creating what it described as an £80 million challenge for public services as former private school students are potentially absorbed into the state education sector. The body has appealed to policymakers to account for the wider consequences, citing concerns over educational diversity and parental choice.
Reactions among parents have ranged from shock to anger, with some lamenting the limited communication from the school leadership prior to the announcement. Gareth Davies, whose son attends St Clare’s, described the lack of consultation as “appalling” and suggested parents could have been involved in discussions about alternative funding or rescue options. “The school forms a significant part of the community here,” he stated, urging a more collaborative approach in times of crisis.
Staff and pupils are now facing a period of uncertainty, as the consultation process takes place and families begin the difficult search for alternative schools. In addition, pupils in key exam years will receive dedicated support to minimise disruption to their studies, according to Cognita’s assurances.
The proposed closure of St Clare’s School not only highlights the mounting challenges facing many independent schools in the current economic climate but also raises important questions about the future of educational provision and diversity across Wales. The coming months are expected to see intense debate over funding priorities, educational values, and the impact of government policy on the private sector.
Cognita and St Clare’s leadership have scheduled information meetings for affected families as they enter this consultation phase, aiming to provide clarity and guidance during what many describe as “an incredibly difficult time” for the entire school community. As the broader implications unfold, the Welsh education sector faces a period of soul-searching and transformation, the outcomes of which remain to be seen.