Financial problems blamed for Sunderland High School closure

“Despite Sunderland High School’s reputation as an excellent school, the economic reality is that current and projected pupil numbers do not demonstrate sufficient demand for places to 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.

“This is a very sad decision to have taken and follows the exploration of every other feasible option over several years including mergers, academisation and acquiring other schools in the area.

“Over the last five years, UCST has needed to subsidise the school’s finances significantly. Alongside this, the school has made strenuous efforts to cut costs without negatively impacting on the quality of education provided and to reverse the decline in numbers. Substantial savings have been made but the school will still make a six figure loss this year and is expected to do so again next year. In addition, in order to maintain the school’s facilities and estate, substantial capital investment is required.

“We have reached the point at which any further cost savings would now directly impact on the quality of education on offer. In that context, UCST cannot justify continuing a long-term subsidy of the school. The school has been run incredibly well and efficiently. It is just a case of falling demand for independent school places in the area meaning that it is no longer viable to run this school without seriously compromising the education that its pupils receive.

“Our focus now will be on helping pupils find appropriate alternative provision and assisting our highly professional and dedicated staff to find posts elsewhere. The school will remain open until the end of the academic year and we will be doing everything possible to help everyone affected negotiate the way ahead as easily as possible”.