Rendcomb College, a prestigious independent school near Cirencester with a legacy spanning over 100 years, has announced it will permanently close its doors at the conclusion of this academic year due to financial challenges. Established in 1920, Rendcomb has evolved into a co-educational day and boarding school serving students aged 3 to 18.
Despite charging fees starting from £3,370 per term for the Junior school and £8,945 per term for the Senior school, the institution revealed that dwindling pupil numbers combined with the broader economic difficulties facing independent schools have rendered continued operation financially unfeasible.
A statement on the college’s website explained: “Despite Rendcomb College’s strong reputation, current and forecasted enrolment figures, coupled with nationwide economic pressures on independent schools, make the future operation of the college unsustainable. After extensive efforts, the decision to close at the end of this academic year has been reluctantly made.”
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The statement further noted that while significant funding from the Rendcomb College Foundation has supported the school historically, the escalating deficit this year and projected financial outlook have made continued support untenable. The college emphasized that all alternative solutions, including mergers and additional funding avenues, were thoroughly explored before reaching this regrettable conclusion.
The school’s primary focus now is to support affected students in finding suitable alternative education and help staff secure new positions.
In response, Wycliffe College, a fellow independent co-ed day and boarding school in Stonehouse about 25 miles away, has extended an offer of support to Rendcomb families. Headmaster Christian San José expressed solidarity and outlined plans to prioritize enrollment for Rendcomb pupils, ensuring smooth transitions with personalized pastoral care. Wycliffe aims to welcome students across all year groups, including Reception through Year 13, and facilitate a streamlined admissions process to ease disruption.
Other Gloucestershire schools, including St Edward’s Senior School and Ashley Manor Preparatory School in Cheltenham, have also expressed their willingness to assist families affected by the closure.
This closure marks the end of a significant chapter in the region’s educational history, leaving the local community reflecting on a century of Rendcomb College’s contributions to student development and academic excellence.