Bishop Challoner School in Shortlands is to close in July 2025, after more than 70 years of serving the local community. In a letter to parents the trustees of the school state that the closure is a result of the increase in national insurance and the Government’s introduction of 20% VAT on fees, as well as the cost-of-living.
The Conservative run Bromley Council is working to support parents finding new placements for pupils.
Shortlands and Park Langley ward Councillor, Adam Grant, who attended the school, said:
“I’m gutted that the school is being forced to shut because of the actions of this government – it’s such an ill-considered policy, driven by the politics of envy, that’s only going to put more pressure on existing school systems. What is especially sad is how, in recent years, thanks to the tireless efforts of staff and governors, it had returned to financial stability and was beginning to thrive again. This anti-aspiration Labour Government have now pulled the carpet from under their feet. Most shocking is what they did with the support of the local MP for Beckenham and Penge”.
The school takes pupils aged between 3 and 18, meaning the closure will risk disrupting students taking their GCSEs and A Levels in 2026, as well as potentially breaking up friendship and support groups during important times. The closure may also lead to increased pressure on local state schools, with the risk of larger class sizes, as well as the loss of over 60 jobs.
The three Conservative Councillors for Shortlands and Park Langley Ward (Felicity Bainbridge, Adam Grant and Gemma Turrell) have written to the Labour Member of Parliament for Beckenham and Penge to demand an apology to local parents for supporting the policies which have caused the closure.
Councillor Felicity Bainbridge, a former Chairman of Bromley’s School Places Planning Group, said:
“It is not millionaires and the privileged of society sending their children to schools like Bishop Challoner. It is local hard-working parents, making sacrifices to do what they believe is best for their children. This anti-aspirational Labour Government is pricing those parents out of independent education. It is an ideological attack on children’s education by a government seeking to fan the flames of class war. It was shameful that our local MP voted to support this attack on the education of our children. It is even worse when he follows this by supporting the job-destroying, growth-killing attacks on our local businesses. These policies are failing, and he owes local people an apology for backing them and must encourage his party to change course.”
