Angry parents look set to challenge their notice terms after the Royal High Prep School in Bath announced last week that it will close in July.
The Royal High Prep School at Weston Park East | Photo © Bath Echo
There was said to be “uproar” at a question-and-answer session attended by about 40 parents when it reportedly emerged that the closure decision was made over Christmas, and that any families pulling their children out at the end of the spring term will still be liable for the summer term’s fees.
Parents say other private schools have a waiting list and that the deadline for state school applications closed five days before they were notified that the Royal High Prep School, based at Cranwell House in Weston, will close.
They were told on Tuesday 20th January, and the Echo understands staff were told just hours before the letter went out.
As we reported last week, the school, which is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, cited low pupil numbers and the impact of VAT on school fees among the reasons for the closure. Years 5 and 6 will relocate to the Senior School site at Lansdown from September.
Following last week’s Q&A session, the Echo learned of the “concern and anger” among parents.
One told us: “Parent contracts require one term’s notice if a pupil is withdrawn, either before the start of a term or on its first day.
“Despite the closure announcement, parents have been told by the head Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes that contracts remain in force and that families removing their children at the end of the spring term would still be liable for summer term fees as the school will technically remain open and delivering education.”
At the meeting, the headteacher reportedly stated that the decision to close had been made “over the Christmas period”.
Parents say that had they been informed when that decision was taken, they could have served notice in line with contractual requirements and avoided additional fees.
They say the notice term is generally intended to protect schools from sudden loss of income and allow time to fill vacant places, but this rationale does not apply, as the financial and educational loss to families far outweighs any short-term loss to the school.
Parents also point to the fact that some other independent schools in Bath are oversubscribed, with waiting lists for both prep and nursery places.
And having missed the deadline for state school applications, many families feel they have been left with limited options for their daughters’ education from September.
We asked the Royal High School to respond to the concerns raised at the Q&A meeting and how many pupils will be affected by the closure, as well as the number of staff who are set to lose their jobs.
The school issued a statement, saying: “We know this has been a very difficult time for our families, and as soon as the decision about the Prep School’s future was confirmed, we informed staff and parents.
“Since then, we’ve held meetings with affected families and continue to support them as they consider the best next steps for their daughters.
“We understand the concerns raised, and we’re working sensitively with parents on an individual basis. Our focus remains on the wellbeing of the children and the whole school community. As this support is ongoing, we won’t be adding further comment at this time.”
We contacted Bath & North East Somerset Council, who told us there is advice about late school admission applications on its website – https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/primary-admissions-arrangements-2026-2027.
The advice to parents is: “If your application is late, it may affect your chance of getting a place at one of the schools you have stated as a preference for your child.
“On-time applicants will be allocated a school place before late applicants.
“Only in exceptional circumstances will Bath & North East Somerset Council consider that there are extenuating reasons as to why the application could not have been submitted by the closing date, and for allowing the application to be treated as if it had arrived on time.
“This will only apply to late applications received before 29th January 2026.”
