Wycliffe College has confirmed it is offering places and transition support to pupils affected by the announced closure of Rendcomb College near Cirencester, which is set to shut at the end of the current academic year.
More than 380 pupils will be required to find alternative provision following Rendcomb’s decision, which comes amid increasing financial pressures facing the independent school sector, including the introduction of 20 per cent VAT on school fees last year.
Wycliffe representatives will attend an open day at Rendcomb next Friday, where they will meet parents and pupils to discuss transition options and offer guidance and support.
Headmaster of Wycliffe, Christian San Jose said: “We are honoured to be working alongside Rendcomb during this period and to be entrusted with supporting pupils through what will be a significant transition. Our priority is to ensure that any pupils and families affected by this decision are met with care, clarity and reassurance.”
A spokesperson for Rendcomb College said: “Despite Rendcomb College’s extremely strong track record as a school, the reality is that current and projected pupil numbers, alongside the economic situation facing independent schools across the country, do not make the school financially viable in the future. It has therefore reluctantly been decided that the school will close at the end of the academic year.
“The staff and Governors have done everything to make Rendcomb College an excellent school and its closure is highly unfortunate but sadly unavoidable.
“For many years, the College has benefited from significant funding from the Rendcomb College Foundation. Whilst this has made the operation of the College possible until now, the enormous increase in the deficit for the current year, and the anticipated financial picture for next year, mean that such support is unsustainable.
“This is a very sad decision to have taken and follows the exploration of every other feasible option including mergers and other forms of funding.
“Our focus now will be on helping pupils find appropriate alternative provision and assisting our highly professional and dedicated staff to find posts elsewhere.”
