Closure of Leweston School

That this House notes with concern the sudden closure of Leweston School on 27 October 2026, announced with just three days’ notice before the end of half term, leaving over 570 pupils without a school place, and teaching and support staff facing unemployment and financial hardship; recognises the pressure this has placed on Dorset and Somerset Councils, local authority admissions teams and already stretched state schools; calls on the Government to provide urgent additional funding and staffing support to state schools willing to exceed their Published Admission Numbers to accommodate affected pupils, and ensure every child secures an appropriate place without delay, particularly those in examination year groups and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who need specialist provision and support plans; further notes that pupils face disruption to their GCSE and A-Level courses, with no option to transfer between examination boards; also notes that overseas teachers and international pupils may lose Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and immigration status; expresses concern that parents have no recourse to recover deposits, advance fees and money paid for trips; further calls for urgent support for displaced teachers and support staff, including help to recover unpaid wages, pensions and redundancy entitlements; and urges the Government to promote the financial resilience of independent schools, including through a review of measures such as scrutiny of ownership, liquid capital, financial viability, early-warning requirements and minimum closure notice periods, so no school can close at such short notice without proper protections for pupils, families and staff.