Leweston School near Sherborne in Dorset has closed permanently during the October half-term, leaving hundreds of pupils facing a sudden change of school and staff confronting unpaid wages.
The independent Catholic day and boarding school announced that it would not reopen after half-term. Dorset Council said it learned of the decision on the afternoon of Monday 26 October 2026, at the same time as families and staff. Its priority is now helping children find alternative education and childcare.
The Department for Education’s published school record lists 577 pupils, although that is a recorded figure rather than a confirmed headcount at the moment of closure.
What we know about the closure
In a notice on the school’s website, Leweston said every pupil had been offered a place from Monday 2 November at a school in the Inspired Learning Group, which includes Clayesmore School and Sunninghill Prep. An offer does not establish whether every family can accept it, particularly where travel, boarding arrangements or specific educational needs are involved.
The school apologised for the short notice and said families and staff had been contacted directly. The public announcement does not give a reason for closing.
Leweston provided education from nursery through to sixth form. The closure follows the first half of the autumn term, rather than taking place at the end of an academic year.
What has been said about the finances and unpaid wages
Reporting by the BBC and local media says staff received a letter from Concept Education chief executive Hugh Dickinson warning that the school could not pay salaries due on Friday 30 October. The reported letter attributed an immediate cash shortfall to falling pupil numbers and also cited VAT on school fees, the removal of business rates relief, increased employment costs and weakening demand for boarding.
Those are explanations attributed to the operator’s reported communication with staff, not the findings of an independent financial investigation. The school’s public closure notice does not set out those details.
The West Dorset Magazine also reported that North Dorset MP Simon Hoare had seen a letter to parents referring to VAT, running costs and declining boarding numbers. He questioned why those pressures resulted in an announcement with so little notice.
There are also concerns about school fees paid in advance and the position of employees who lived on site. The arrangements for recovering fees, paying wages and addressing accommodation have not been publicly resolved in the sources checked.
A promise of a sustainable future less than a year ago
The closure is particularly striking because, on 12 November 2025, headmaster John Paget-Tomlinson announced a partnership with Concept Education and the Catholic Schools’ Trust.
The announcement said Concept Education was committed to financial investment and protecting the school’s heritage. The headmaster said he expected a strong and sustainable future for the school community.
In a separate announcement, the Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference quoted Concept Education chief executive Hugh Dickinson welcoming the opportunity to strengthen Leweston’s position.
According to Companies House, Concept Education Limited became the controlling shareholder of Leweston School (Sherborne) Limited in November 2025. The operating company’s subsequent change of name was registered in December.
What Companies House records show
Companies House records confirm that Leweston School (Sherborne) Limited registered a charge created on 24 March 2026. Reporting identifies HSBC as the lender.
A registered charge is a form of security for borrowing. It does not, by itself, establish the amount of debt outstanding, the cause of the closure or wrongdoing. The public record also shows that the company’s first accounts, for the period ending 31 August 2026, are due in March 2027.
Questions remain about what was known about the school’s financial position when the 2025 partnership was announced, what changed afterwards and when closure became unavoidable. No conclusion about financial misconduct can be drawn from the charge registration.
What Dorset Council is doing for families
In its 29 October statement, Dorset Council said teams were working urgently with schools, early years providers and education partners to minimise disruption.
Paul Dempsey, the council’s executive director for children’s services, said the news had come as a significant shock to families and staff, and that helping children continue their education was the immediate focus.
- School admissions: Email admissions@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for help with alternative school places and local options.
- Nursery and childcare: Contact the council’s Family Information Service at familyinfo@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
- Inspired Learning Group place offers: The school directs families to parentsupport@inspiredlearninggroup.co.uk.
What is still unclear
Important questions include whether all families can take up the places offered, how examination-year pupils and children requiring additional support will be accommodated, whether employees will receive outstanding pay and how advance school-fee payments will be handled.
There is also no independently established public account explaining why the school’s future appeared secure in November 2025 but ended with so little notice eleven months later.
For now, the confirmed closure and the practical consequences for pupils, parents and staff are clear. The financial and decision-making questions require further answers from those responsible.
Sources and further information
- Leweston School: official closure notice
- Dorset Council: support for affected families, 29 October 2026
- Department for Education: Leweston School record
- Leweston: November 2025 strategic partnership announcement
- Companies House: Leweston School (Sherborne) Limited
- The West Dorset Magazine: MPs’ questions and financial reporting
- Dorset Eye: staff wages and parents’ reaction, 30 October
