Historic Maidenhead prep school set for closure at the end of summer term

The parent company for Highfield Prep School has insisted it is unsustainable for it to remain open beyond the summer – amid declining pupil numbers and the introduction of VAT to fees.

The independent school in West Road, which dates back more than 100 years, informed parents it was due to close at the end of the summer term in a letter earlier this month.

Since 2019, the school has been run by Chatsworth Schools, which owns 11 schools and nurseries in the UK.

The company has cited a ‘steady decline in pupil numbers’, the introduction of VAT on school fees and the upcoming increases in employer National Insurance contributions as the catalysts behind the decision.

A statement from Chatsworth Schools revealed that Highfield has a capacity of 160 pupils, but only 44 pupils are registered for September 2025.

In a statement, a spokesperson from Chatsworth Schools, said: “Chatsworth Schools is proposing to close Highfield Prep School at the end of the summer term.

“This is not a proposal we are making lightly.

“The steady decline in pupil numbers, despite significant investment, and the introduction of VAT on school fees in the Autumn Budget plus the impending increase in Employers National Insurance, unfortunately means it is it is unlikely to be sustainable to keep the school open beyond summer 2025.

“Highfield Prep will continue to be led by Sarah Wallace.

“The school leadership team, working with Chatsworth Schools, will support Highfield families in seeking alternative schools for their children should the decision ultimately be taken to close the school.

“We have initiated a consultation process in respect of all staff and are putting a pastoral support package in place to help everyone affected by these proposals.

“Chatsworth Schools will also support those staff who may need to seek alternative roles.”

The move has left parents desperately searching for a new school to accept their children – and led to criticism of the way Chatsworth has run Highfield Prep.

One Highfield parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Our daughter has been terribly upset and she has struggled to understand why the school she loves so much is closing.

“She is worried about how her friends will be scattered around different schools, and she also worries for her teachers and other staff.

“From our perspective as parents we are faced with the difficult task of finding a school that measures up to Highfield, and quickly so that our daughter has certainty over her future.

“We are having to take lots of time out of work to visit prospective schools and, like all Highfield parents, will be faced with an unexpected bill for hundreds of pounds for a new school uniform.”

The parent took aim at Chatsworth’s handling of the situation, and said it had ‘made repeated mis-steps with their management of the school and were warned by parents in 2024 that they risked losing the trust of the parent community’.

He blamed the company for the departure of families from the school and added: “The parents are clear that the fault lies at Chatsworth Schools’ door.”

Chatsworth Schools did not address the criticism in its statement.

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds said he has reached out to the school to express his sympathies and offer any help.

He said: “It’s sad news from our point of view. Highfield has been on the educational map in Maidenhead for a long, long time.

“We said that schools would close down as a result of the fees that were put on.”

He added that the Government needs to realise it has made a ‘mistake’ and reverse the policy.

A Government spokesperson, said: “Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94% of children in state schools to achieve and thrive.

“On average, around 50 mainstream private schools typically close each year. This is due to a range of reasons, including financial struggles and school standards issues. In this case, the school was struggling with falling rolls well ahead of the end to tax breaks in January 2025.

"Local authorities and schools commonly support children and parents in these circumstances, we are confident in local state schools' ability to accommodate new pupils."