An award-winning school near Bromyard faces closure at the end of the school year if it doesn’t find additional funding.

Abberley Hall School, just over the border in Worcestershire, has suffered “significant financial losses” in recent years and has now lost the support of Malvern College.

The prep school’s board of governors is holding meetings with teachers and parents, and says it wants the wider school community to understand the seriousness of the situation.

A schools spokesperson said: “Abberley Hall was in an extremely challenging position financially when the governors sought support from Malvern College in 2018/19, culminating in Abberley becoming part of the Malvern College Family of Schools in September 2019.

“The Abberley Hall team has since implemented a comprehensive development plan, funded by a total of £4m of grant and loan finance over the past three years from Malvern College, to support investment in the campus and the day-to-day running costs of the school.”

The school is blaming “increased external cost pressures, the investment demands of a heritage estate and declining pupil numbers” for what it calls “continued and significant financial losses”.

Malvern College unable to support Abberley Hall financially

“Even with projected improvements to current revenue levels, Abberley Hall requires a high level of additional investment over the next three to five years to return to breakeven," said the spokesperson.

“With immense regret the Malvern College Council, the governing body of a separate, albeit affiliated, educational charity with significant commitments of its own, is unable to provide any additional financial support after the end of this academic year.”

Abberley Hall governors have approached a number of school groups and independent schools to seek investment and/or a collaboration but have had no viable offers.

Governors are clear that unless new funds are found quickly, the school will not be open for the 2023/24 academic year.

The school spokesperson added: “Whilst we continue to do everything in our power to secure additional funding, we also have a responsibility to our pupils and our staff.

“We have taken external professional advice, and our responsibilities in this regard are clear.

“This information has been shared with staff today, as part of the school’s responsibilities as an employer.

“To ensure fair process, a formal consultation will begin with staff in the contemplation of closure, and possible redundancies. This can be halted at any time, should a future funding solution be established.”

Abberley Hall won Tatler Magazine’s top prep school award last year and its nursery has been nominated for a Worcestershire Education Award.