Parents of devastated kids at a private school in Trafford say they are considering legal action in a bid to stop it from closing.
The 114-year-old Loreto Preparatory School in Altrincham announced last week it would be closing its doors for good at the end of the current academic year.
Bosses at the independent Catholic primary school said they were facing 'unprecedented financial challenges' and that, coupled with a decline in student numbers, meant the school was no longer financially viable.
It was historically part of the neighbouring Loreto Grammar School but in 1972 moved to its current site on Dunham Road and became established as a separate school with its own governing body. It is run under the trusteeship of the Loreto Sisters.
The school has 120 pupils aged between three and 11, including some with special educational needs. Parents claim they were informed of the news just over a week ago via an e-mail marked 'urgent.'
And they say they now have just 12 weeks to find their daughters' places at alternative schools. A committee of parents trying to save the school has been formed and say they are now 'contemplating legal action against the school's owners' as part of their fight to prevent its closure.
One of the driving forces behind the committee, Joseph Kotrie, whose daughter also attends the school, said: "Loreto is an unusual school in that it has many children who either have special education needs or could qualify for special needs status.
"Because Loreto is such a caring and sensitive environment, many parents have their daughters there because they are worried they wouldn’t survive in a normal mainstream school, or have to go into a special education-only environment.
"Loreto Prep gives many girls an opportunity to integrate in a more normal setting and have a chance to develop and have a chance of a more normal life despite their sensitivities. We’re all terrified that these girls will lose that chance."
He said the 'news was news was forced upon parents, teachers and governors, without notice just a week ago, alongside claims that every avenue had been explored of returning the school to profitability.' However, he said that the claims of 'significant losses' had not been 'supported by any evidence.'
Mum Georgina McGrath said: “Both myself and my sister attended Loreto Prep back in the 90s and now both my daughters go, they are in Prep 2 and Prep 3.
"They absolutely love the school and their teachers. We were shocked and deeply saddened by the news received last week. We haven’t looked around other schools but nowhere else compares, the teaching staff are incredible and it's such a kind, warm and caring environment.
"We are disgusted that the trustees decided to email us late one Thursday night. They have left it so late in the school year so we are limited in what we can do to save it but we are not going to give up!"
"To just come out and say it's not financially viable? Without ever letting us know there was a problem? I just can't understand it," she added. "We were given the opportunity to ask them questions in a meeting but we still didn't get any answers."
The St Bede's Foundation, which runs the prestigious St Bede's College in south Manchester, have come forward and offered to help save the school. Xavier Bosch, the foundation's chair, said: “We wish to help to guarantee the future of Loreto Prep in any way we can.
“In so doing, our intention is solely driven by a strong wish to preserve a beautiful example of Catholic education which has served Manchester for so many years and needs to continue to do so for many more.
“We understand that time is short but are willing to be as flexible as possible to ensure that a happy ending is reached which will do justice to the exemplary legacy of the Sisters of Loreto and secure an undisturbed education to the existing pupils.
"We are happy to work with parents, staff, and of course the Sisters to ensure a satisfactory deal is reached.” It is understood Mr Bosch hopes to meet with the school's trustees in the coming days, a meeting Mr Kotrie said parents were 'praying' went ahead and was fruitful.
The school says that options being put forward by the parents' advisory group 'are being explored.' The trustees said in a statement: "There is a lot of understandable sadness and concern from the parents about the proposed closure of the school.
"A meeting for parents was held last week. The meeting was an opportunity for them to ask questions and share their concerns. Options put forward from the parents advisory group are being explored. There is no further comment at this time."
Trafford Council said as it is an independent school they had not been involved in the decision to close it in any way but were providing advice to families about places in state schools.
“Loreto Preparatory School is an independent catholic primary school under the trusteeship of the Loreto Sisters," a spokesperson for the council said.
“The council were notified of the closure but were not involved in the decision. The Council’s School Admissions are providing advice about local vacancies to any families who are looking to return to a local state funded school in September.”
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