Leweston School to close immediately after half-term

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Leweston School near Sherborne will close with immediate effect and not reopen after half-term.

Leweston School, a private Catholic boarding school near Sherborne in Dorset with 577 pupils aged two to 19, will close with immediate effect and not reopen after half-term. The announcement came with minimal notice: pupils were given no prior warning and staff were informed only minutes before parents received a letter.

One family member described the decision as 'outrageous', particularly as some pupils were in the middle of preparing university applications. The school's statement said it was 'very sorry for what this means for our pupils, their families and our staff, and for how little notice we have been able to give'.

The school has offered every pupil a place at another school within the Inspired Learning Group from Monday 2 November, with options including Clayesmore School and Sunninghill Prep. Founded in 1891, Leweston had nursery, preparatory, senior and sixth-form sections. In November 2025, the school announced a partnership with Concept Education and the Catholic Schools' Trust, with governors at that time saying it would bring additional expertise and investment.

Leweston School to close immediately after half-term — Image: Wiltshire Times

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How it is being reported

'Outrage' as private school to close with immediate effect after half-termStudents and staff at a school near Wiltshire have been told it will close with immediate effect.Wiltshire Times · 27 Oct, 16:57
'Outrage' as private school to close with immediate effect after half-termStudents and staff at a school near Wiltshire have been told it will close with immediate effect.Gazette & Herald · 27 Oct, 16:57

In this story: Leweston School · Sherborne · Dorset · Inspired Learning Group · Clayesmore School · Sunninghill Prep · Concept Education · Ian Lucas

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