- Leweston School, a Catholic boarding and day school in Dorset, has announced its sudden closure following the October half term without providing an official reason.
- The private school, which charges up to £14,990 per term for international boarders, apologised to staff, pupils and families for the very short notice.
- All pupils have been offered places from 2 November at alternative institutions within the Inspired Learning Group around 19 miles away.
- Founded in 1891, the school was sold to a subsidiary of Concept Education in December 2025 and registered for an HSBC loan in March 2026.
- Social media users speculated the abrupt shutdown is due to Labour applying 20 per cent VAT to private school fees, though the school has not commented on the claims.
IN FULL
