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Kristin Scott Thomas's former school shuts without warning during half-term after Labour's VAT raid, leaving staff unpaid

Leweston School's grounds near Sherborne, Dorset. The Catholic boarding and day school, which charged up to £14,990 a term, has closed permanently, offering families no reason beyond an apology for the short notice.
Leweston School's grounds near Sherborne, Dorset. The Catholic boarding and day school, which charged up to £14,990 a term, has closed permanently, offering families no reason beyond an apology for the short notice.

Leweston School, a Catholic boarding school near Sherborne in Dorset with a 135-year history, closed immediately and without notice during half-term, catching almost 600 pupils and staff entirely off guard. Hugh Dickinson, chief executive of Concept Education, said the school could not meet staff salary payments due this week after last-minute funding negotiations collapsed. The Independent Schools Council says Leweston is the 72nd private school to close since Labour put VAT on fees.

Dickinson cited Labour's VAT raid, the removal of business rates relief, rising employment costs and weakening demand for boarding places as the factors behind the collapse.

West Dorset MP Edward Morello called the closure 'a shock and a travesty', warning pupils were mid-university application when the news broke.

Alumni of the school, which charged up to £14,990 per term, include Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Baroness Dido Harding.

MoreThe TelegraphKristin Scott-Thomas’s former school closes amid Labour VAT raid - The Telegraphbournemouthecho.co.ukFalling pupil numbers and rising costs force school closureDaily Mail NewsKristin Scott Thomas's £45,000-a-year former private school closes suddenly during half-term after 135 yearsbournemouthecho.co.uk'It's outrageous' Dorset school to close with immediate effect after half-term - Bournemouth Echoexpress.co.ukHistoric school shuts without warning bringing Labour’s tally of closures to 72 - Daily ExpressBournemouth Daily Echo'A shock and a travesty' - MP issues statement on school's sudden closureThe TimesPupils in limbo as Kristin Scott Thomas’s old school shuts without warning
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