IT has been announced a school in Thornbury which has been running for more than seven decades will close down. 

The Sheiling School - which opened in 1952 - is due to shut at the end of this academic year.

The last day for pupils will be on Wednesday, July 24.

The independent school currently supports 30 students with a range of SEND needs including social, emotional and/or mental health needs, autism and ADHD.

Staff, pupils and their families have all been informed about the closure, officials say. 

Meanwhile, it is believed around 70 members of staff will be made redundant.

It comes after the Gazette previously reported last month that the school was at risk of closure and had launched a consultation with staff. 

Pupils are taught based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner with weekly and full boarding also offered at the site at Thornbury Park.

The site is run by the charity Thornleigh Camphill Communities, who say they have been facing rising costs and falling pupil numbers which have led to “significant” financial difficulties.

Chair of trustees Dr Anthony Nowlan said: “Since emerging from the pandemic, the school has had significant financial difficulties. 

“Falling pupil numbers and sharply rising costs have resulted in deficits and the running down of the charity’s reserves.

“We have consulted with staff and considered all options for the future of the school.”

Thornleigh Camphill Communities also provides long-term community-based supported living to around 50 adults with additional needs.

They run The Hatch Camphill Community in Castle Street, Thornbury and Orchard Leigh Camphill Community in Eastington near Stroud. 

Dr Nowlan added: “As a charity, we also have to consider the needs of our whole community.

“If action wasn’t taken, we ran the risk of destabilising the adult provision. 

“This is why we have reached this hugely difficult decision.

“We appreciate the impact of this news.

“Our focus is now on supporting every member of our community to secure their next steps in their education or employment.

“We are liaising with the local authorities who place our children to offer our help in their transition to new schools. 

“In addition, I take heart from the fact that a number of our staff have already secured new employment. 

“We will continue to do all that we are practicable able to do to make this process as smooth as we possibly can for everyone.

“Our charity has been supporting people with a learning disability for over 70 years. 

“Sadly, we are no longer able to provide services for children, but the work supporting our thriving adult communities is continuing.”

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We received notification from Thornleigh Camphill Communities Ltd, the charitable organisation responsible for operating Sheiling School, of the decision to close the school at the end of the current academic year.

“We are disappointed to receive this news as we are aware that children and young people enjoy being at the school and parents value the provision on offer.

“Our officers will be working closely with parents and providers to identify new placements and with the management team at Sheiling to support a smooth transition.”

It is understood any final decision about closing the school would need to be ratified by the Department for Education.

The Department for Education is the regulator of all independent schools, including independent SEND schools.

Sheiling School was previously rated as requiring improvement by Ofsted after it was visited by inspectors in November 2023.

Meanwhile, according to a report by South Gloucestershire Council, based on data from October 2017, 6,111 school children have SEND in the district - 3.2 per cent of the school population.

This figure is higher than the national average at 2.8 per cent of the rest of England.

Two new SEND schools are due to open in the Thornbury area this year including Two Bridges Academy next to Marlwood School and Castlefell School near the A38 in Rudgeway.