UK school where Queen Elizabeth II first learnt to ride a horse set to close | UK | News
The late Queen Elizabeth II A school located on the land where Elizabeth first learned to ride a horse will close completely. The company, which confirmed it would close on Friday, July 10, blamed the Labor government’s VAT on private school fees as one of the reasons.
Pitsford School in Northamptonshire is known for its magnificent estate, as well as its strong royal associations. It operates from Pitsford Hall, a Grade II listed property once owned by George Drummond, a politician who served six terms as Lord Provost of Edinburgh and founding director of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The school currently educates around 200 children aged four to 18, with fees ranging from £3,360 to £5,835 per term.
As reported by Great Britain NewsQueen Elizabeth II Elizabeth learned to ride horses at the manor. He regularly visited Pitsford Hall with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).
However, the school will close in July and the principal, Dr. Craig Walker explains how the decision was taken after “every option had been exhausted” to keep the school open. He said the school was suffering from “external economic pressures” resulting from government policy changes.
He explained: “The introduction of VAT on school fees, the removal of business rates relief, increases in the National Living Wage, higher interest rates and wider economic uncertainty have put significant pressure on independent schools across the country.”
The school is reportedly exploring potential partners and buyers in an effort to keep the school open. However, despite a thorough review of costs and possible restructuring solutions, it has been confirmed that the school will close.
The timing of the decision was criticized by some parents. One person stated that the news was “sad” on the school’s Facebook page and said, “The fact that people were informed three weeks before the end of the term made the children very sad.”
Another stated: “I can’t believe I was told 3 weeks before I left that my son was a teacher there yesterday. Too bad. I’m sorry for the other teachers etc who need to find jobs as soon as possible to stay afloat.”
Meanwhile a third wrote: “More destruction from the Labor Party and Rachel Reeves. Pretty scary to think the person coming is even more socialist!”
