# Kristin Scott Thomas’s £45,000-a-year former private school closes suddenly during half-term after 135 years

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/kristin-scott-thomass-45000-a-year-former-private-school-closes-suddenly-during-half-term-after-135-years/
- Published: 2026-10-28T15:12:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T15:25:44+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16246103/Kristin-Scott-Thomass-private-school-closes-half-term.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Leweston School will not reopen after half-term.
- Around 500 pupils need alternative arrangements.
- Its closure comes amid pressure on private schools from VAT on fees.

## Summary

Leweston School in Dorset says it will close and will not reopen after the October half-term, apologising to pupils, families and staff for the short notice. The sudden closure has left families seeking new school places and raised concern about the impact on staff, with West Dorset MP Edward Morello saying they had not been paid that month.

The Catholic co-educational school, founded in 1891, taught around 500 pupils from nursery to sixth form and charged up to £14,990 per term. From Monday, pupils can take places at other schools in the Inspired Learning Group, including Clayesmore and Sunninghill. The school gave no reason for closing; the article links the case to wider pressure on private schools after VAT was added to fees and cites an estimate that more than 100 have closed since the tax was introduced.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.