Bryony School in Rainham ‘facing possibility of closure’

An independent primary school is “facing the possibility of closure” within the next few months.

Bryony School in Rainham informed parents last Friday (May 23) a consultation period with its staff has now begun.

School bosses said they were “completely and utterly devastated” for its teachers, children and parents.

In a statement they said: “We informed our parents last week that we are facing the possibility of closure at the end of this academic year (ie from September) and have commenced a period of consultation with staff.

“We are continuing to look into all options for the school with our team of legal and professional advisors.

“We have run Bryony School as an extension of our family and a way of life for over 36 years. It has served the community since 1956.”

They said there priority would be looking after its staff and pupils during this “period of uncertainty”.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns over the potential closure.

They told KentOnline: “160 kids will be left without a school in six weeks, 30 staff made redundant and a gaping hole left.

“The children will have no school in September. The average wait time in the area is two years for a school, and parents wouldn’t get their siblings into the same schools.

“The owners have served the community for 36 years and need desperate help from the community to keep the school open.

“Parents are trying hard to find solutions but students past and new would all rally if more people knew the situation.”

The school, in Marshall Road, costs up to £2,680 per term to attend.

It was last inspected by Ofsted in November 2022 when it was rated as a “Good” school.

In October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the policy to apply VAT to private school fees would help “provide the highest quality of support and teaching” in the state sector.

At the time, Treasury minister James Murray suggested that most private schools would be able to keep fee increases “affordable” for parents by absorbing a “significant proportion” of new VAT charges.

But the Labour’s government’s move to end tax breaks for private education has been slammed by some in the sector who say it will serve only to “increase the divide” between state and independent sectors as some private providers struggle to survive.