'We are a family here - the children are devastated': Historic Staffordshire school announces 'significant' risk of closure as parents left 'heartbroken'
The historic school will potentially close on December 31.
A letter sent to parents has revealed the potential closure of the historic Chase Grammar School, on Convent Close, Cannock, following a period of 'financial difficulty'.
The letter, which was sent to parents and guardians on August 5, announced the 'significant' risk of closure as early as December 31, 2025, reporting that despite 'considerable efforts to secure a long-term future', they are now at risk of closure on New Year's Eve.
The school also said that 'while no final decisions have yet been made', parents should plan for the potential closure.
The letter read: "As you may be aware, the school has been navigating a number of financial challenges.
"Despite considerable efforts to secure a long-term and sustainable future for Chase, we are now at a point where the school is at significant risk of closure at the end of this calendar year, on 31st December 2025.
"While no final decision has yet been made, we feel it is our responsibility to communicate openly with you now so that you have clarity and time to make informed decisions for your child’s education."
Alternative School
In the letter, the school said that in the event that the facility does close, a 'smooth pathway' has been organised for students to move to their sister school, Abbotsholme, in Doveridge, Uttoxeter.
The letter continued: "In the event that the school does close, we have generated a smooth pathway for both boarding and day students to move to our sister school, Abbotsholme, that allows for a seamless transition for our students, without disruption to their education.
"Abbotsholme is a well-established independent day and boarding school located on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border. Many of our Chase boarding staff, teachers, and support teams will be given the opportunity to move across with students, helping to provide a familiar and consistent experience."
The letter added that the daily bus services from Chase Grammar to Abbotsholme will provide free transport for transitioning students, and boarding spaces are available for boarding students.
It comes as many parents continue to organise holiday activities for their children during the summer break, with many parents now left scrambling to find alternative schools.
'It's devastating'
However, for many, the historic facility is their first choice for their children, with parents saying they are 'devastated' and 'heartbroken' at the potential loss of their school.
Responding to the letter, Kerri Evans, from Cannock, who has two children, aged eight and 12, who attend the school, said that while she 'loves' the Chase Grammar and its teachers, parents should have been told sooner.
She said: "It's heartbreaking. My children are devastated to be honest. Mainly because they might lose their friends and the teachers that they have become close to.
"We are a family there. The classes are quite small and all the children, parents and teachers know each other. The staff are absolutely lovely. I can't say a bad thing about them.
"But we should have been told earlier. I've gone around to look at alternative schools, but you can't get a feel of the place if you can't go inside or have a trial day. If they had warned us when schools were open, we could have planned better."
The parents said that the school has been 'phenomenal' for the families living in Cannock, and that the alternative Abbotsholme facility is 'too far' to be a viable choice.
She said: "For the seniors, it's not so bad. But I have an eight-year-old and a 12-year-old there. It's around an hour bus journey. They wouldn't get home until about 6pm, which isn't a lot of time to eat or relax. It's heartbreaking."
The historic grammar school was established in 1879 when the Sisters of the Holy Rosary opened the Convent School on the location, and celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2019.
The school has been approached for comment.
