This is a heartbreaking end to the community that has thrived at St Joseph’s for so many years. We would like to thank everyone who came forward with valuable suggestions and proposals, including the Save St Joseph’s College Parents Group and all the staff involved in the consultation, but unfortunately, we were unable to find a solution to keep the college open.

The Board of Governors, supported by the Head, and our Interim Bursar, have explored numerous options to save St Joseph’s. We looked into opportunities to be acquired by a schools’ group, and to merge or work in close partnership with another school. Prospects for financial investment were also actively sought, including from the Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel, but none of these possibilities provided a viable solution.

St Joseph’s is not alone in having been hit hard financially in recent years. Rising costs have significantly impacted the college and our fee-paying parents alike; and the introduction of VAT on fees and the removal of business rates relief have added to the financial pressure.

Chair of Governors, Mrs Hilary Buckle said: “This is an announcement which no Board of Governors ever wants to make. We want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who came forward with suggestions to keep the school open, but unfortunately none of these were able to provide a sustainable future for St Joseph’s College. I want to thank all of the staff at St Joseph’s who have continued to work so hard to ensure the final term for our pupils has been a success, with every planned activity still taking place.

We look forward to the final musical performance this evening, the prep production tomorrow night, and Prize Giving on Thursday. I know that the 132-year legacy of St Joseph’s will live on, outside the walls of the college, in the future of all our alumni.”

Head, Mrs Laura Stotesbury said: “This is an extremely sad day for the whole college community. I would like to add my thanks to all my colleagues who have continued to show such commitment to the college and our children. I am deeply proud to have led the college and to have been able to contribute to the lasting legacy of St Joseph’s. It was a wonderful day on Sunday welcoming more than 300 of our alumni back to the college to celebrate their time here, and to hear their memories and highlights of their time at the college.

I would like to thank our local schools and local authorities for their invaluable help and support for our pupils and staff as they secure new placements for September.

St Joseph’s College has always held the children at the centre of all we do and despite the uncertainty within which we have been operating since May, our staff have continued to do just that.”