Parents of current and future pupils at Kilgraston School have backed plans that would see an education provider step in to save the institution from closure.
The Bridge of Earn private boarding and day school has been in advanced discussions with Achieve Education Limited for the past week to provide “much-needed financial strength and stability”.
Achieve Education was inspired by the parents’ call for a £2 million rescue plan after an emergency meeting on Friday, June 2.
A staggering £1.2m was raised in just 48 hours in a galvanizing attempt to keep the facility open.
The plan came in response to a board of trustees announcement on June 1 that the school would shut on June 24, due to financial struggles and a decline in pupil enrolment.
Open since 1930, the school cited the loss of income due to Covid lockdowns and the effect of travel restrictions on the international boarding market as further reasons for closure.
Achieve Education then stepped forward as a candidate to take over the running of the school.
Talks were ongoing through last week and the school sought the confidence of parents – existing and prospective – in Achieve Education’s proposal. That vote took place through Tuesday and into Wednesday.
The school’s trustees will now move towards completion, subject to legal and financial due diligence.
If successful, the group will install a new board of directors, who will replace the school’s existing governor and trustee structure.
Leading figures at the school say parents have supported the move “in significant numbers”.
Head of Kilgraston, Mrs Tanya Davie, said: “We thank all those parents and guardians who have placed their trust in the school.
“Your support and commitment together with that received from our staff, pupils and alumnae has been overwhelming.”
She added: “We are confident that we can now all enjoy sharing this positive message, a message that is good for the school, good for parents and, most importantly, good for our children.”
Damian Hind, the leader of the Parent Action Group formed in response to the situation was delighted: “On Friday, June 2 the news could not have been bleaker.
“The school was set to close and that was devastating for all involved. The extraordinary call to action garnered by those parents who believe in Kilgraston’s future sparked support at home and abroad – and that has helped to bring us to today.
“We’d like to thank everyone who placed their trust in Kilgraston and in Achieve Education.”
Achieve Education says it will continue to provide the “same ethos, values and traditions” that pupils and parents have come to expect throughout its 93-year history.
The provider will also keep Kilgraston’s Senior School as a school for girls with the Junior School to continue as co-educational for pupils up to the age of 12.
The school will retain its membership of the Sacred Heart Society and pupils of different backgrounds and faiths will “continue to be welcomed”.
The group will work in partnership with headteacher Mrs Davie and her team, who will continue to lead the school under the guidance of the Achieve Education Advisory Board.
Achieve Education’s board of directors includes former headteacher of the school Michael Farmer and former school bursar Barry Farrell.
