West Dorset MP Edward Morello’s regular column has moved from our politics pages this month to sit alongside our Leweston coverage, as he reflects on the school’s sudden closure and its aftermath.
My last week has been dominated by the sudden and unannounced closure of Leweston School, midway through half-term. The whole situation is devastating and outrageous: 577 students left without a place to return to on Monday, parents left thousands of pounds out of pocket, staff left unpaid and, in some cases, homeless.
The owners, Concept Education Ltd, did not even bother to inform Dorset Council of the closure – that was left to me.
In this darkest hour, however, the response has been amazing. Already a GoFundMe for staff facing hardship has elicited ten of thousands of pounds in donations. Dozens of private schools have been in touch to offer places to students, and notify staff of job vacancies. Dorset Council has been working tirelessly to place students in the state school system and ensure SEND students are catered for.
Meanwhile work continues with a third party to try and save the nursery school.
My team and I have been working flat out to help staff impacted: signposting job opportunities and assisting with access to emergency financial support, and providing support to parents without school places, especially those wishing to move to local state schools.
The closure of Leweston places enormous strain on our local state schools. Almost 600 pupils needing places mid-term are extremely difficult to accommodate. It risks stretching state school class sizes beyond the desired number, schools do not get additional funding for extra teachers, students lose their peer groups and also may not be able to continue with their same studies.
Woefully inadequate
Meanwhile I have been asking questions of Concept Education directors, and Trustees of the charity that owns the building and land (The Catholic Schools Trust). That this situation has arisen more likely due to incompetence than criminality is of no consolation: and regardless, the way it has been handled is woefully inadequate. I have spoken to the Administrators to ensure that all avenues will be explored, the Charities Commission – which should have had oversight of at least part of the operation – and written to the Secretary of State for Education to demand how this could have been allowed to happen.
I am determined to get answers.
