Kingscourt Private School in Waterlooville faces potential closure following consultation due to declining birth rates and reduced pupil demand, despite maintaining excellent academic standards and ISI rating.
A consultation has commenced regarding the possible closure of Kingscourt Private School & Nursery on Five Heads Road, Waterlooville, potentially ending operations at the conclusion of the autumn term.
The independent institution, operated under the Cognita schools network, maintains an outstanding ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) assessment from its 2023 review and serves pupils aged two to 11 years.
A Cognita representative stated the consultation decision was carefully considered, with teams collaborating alongside Kingscourt’s senior management to engage parents and offer guidance on alternative educational arrangements should closure proceed.
The Cognita spokesperson explained: “Nobody wishes to contemplate school closure. We have thoroughly evaluated Kingscourt’s sustainability, which unfortunately faces declining local birth rates and diminished demand for places, alongside reduced pupil enrollment projections for the forthcoming academic year, notwithstanding its outstanding educational standards.
“Staff consultations regarding future steps are ongoing, whilst we continue supporting our students, families and employees to the fullest extent possible.”
Upon learning of the potential closure, parents have mobilised rapidly to safeguard their school’s future and children’s education through establishing a ‘Friends of Kingscourt’ organisation.
Within weeks, this group has published website updates detailing discussions with Cognita about the school’s financial sustainability, investigating potential purchase opportunities, and initiating a feasibility assessment.
The Friends of Kingscourt website states: “Initial shock and dismay regarding Kingscourt School’s planned closure has evolved into something far more significant: a passionate yet pragmatic campaign to investigate and, where feasible, ensure our school’s continuation, driven by parents, staff and supporters.
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“From the outset, our community has demonstrated genuine commitment to defending our beliefs. We’ve mobilised, organised, and begun establishing foundations for what we anticipate will mark Kingscourt’s new beginning. Not merely as an educational institution, but as an establishment created by and for the families it supports.
“We recognise this journey presents challenges—but we also understand we’re not facing them alone. Together, we’re not simply attempting to preserve a school. We’re constructing something more robust: a future determined by those who value it most.”
Further developments concerning Kingscourt School will follow.
