SHOCKED supporters of Haslemere Prep School are taking action to try and reverse the decision to shut it at the end of the summer term.

The closure announcement by the school governors was made to parents at an extraordinary meeting called last Monday, just before pupils broke up for the Easter holidays.

Teachers were informed earlier in the day.

Chairman of governors Allan Gardner, who has two sons at the school, said it had not been “an easy decision” for the board. He said: “We have looked at various options to enable the school to continue, but the economic challenges over recent years have meant the options are not available”.

The board said the school had become unviable due to falling numbers and rising costs. There are currently 123 pupils on the roll and more than 30 staff, some of whom also have children at the school, are affected.

Many current and former parents and teachers, and supporters, who contacted The Herald to voice their disbelief following the announcement, also made it clear they are not convinced the school has to close – and they will do everything they can to rescue it.

Parents have also appealed to the governing board to share the financial information that prompted the decision to close the school, and to explain why it was not possible to involve them in formulating a business plan that might have saved it.

Haslemere-based accountant Philip Smith, who had hoped to send his son to the school in September, called on fellow supporters this week to support his appeal for a stay of execution, to explore if all available options have been considered.

He said: “The trustees gave the information about closing the school on the last week of term and only gave the parents and staff one term’s notice.

“There was no consultation with the parents. The consulting company from London made its recommendation without talking to the teachers or the parents.

“No obvious solutions to increasing revenue, such as starting the school intake from two years, or making it co-educational, or increasing the fees were discussed with the parents or teachers.

“No up-to-date financial information was presented although the latest accounts on the charity website do not show any large deficit.

“The only positive aspect of the school closing is that the buildings could be turned into a beautiful development of expensive apartments – however an educational charity is there to support the education of children not provide work for local property developers.”

Mr Smith, parents and teachers have been encouraged the school can be saved by a similar experience it underwent in the late 1990s, when the prep school was on the point of closure due to falling numbers.

At that time, teachers and parents were involved at an early stage in an effort to come up with a rescue plan.

Under the leadership of Kevin Merrick, who was promoted from deputy head to headteacher, parents were persuaded not to move their children and the numbers rose from 100 to 250 in three years.

According to Charity Commission returns for 2014, Haslemere Prep had net assets of £616, 848 and was “in a stable financial state”.

Academically, Haslemere Prep has a strong track record for placing boys with their first-choice senior school and supporting them to achieve scholarships and awards to top independent schools, including Charterhouse, Christ’s Hospital, Cranleigh, Portsmouth Grammar School, Winchester, Lancing College and Sherborne.

A mother with two sons at the school, who preferred to be unnamed, said: “The feeling among parents appears to be they would have liked to have been consulted, prior to the announcement; just days before the Easter break.

“A number of suggestions to improve numbers of boys at the school are being shared between families and the headmaster, and although marketing strategies may have looked into some of these, parents and teachers still feel very strongly that more can be done.

“A consultation period, if agreed to by the governors, would allow for further and transparent discussion, which might lead to a solution for the school.”

She added: “Put simply, the boys are thriving. That is surely what every parent wants for their child.

“It is entirely the wrong decision to close the school, when there is still so much Haslemere Prep has to offer.

“Any parent interested, shouldn’t hesitate to register their boys, rather than wait for numbers to rise again, as they have done historically.”

Latin and Greek teacher Charles Hulin, who has been at the school since 1986, pledging his full support for a rescue plan. He said: “This has been a great shock to everybody. I would support any group who thinks it might in some way save the school as a viable educational institution, perhaps including girls and taking children from aged two.

“There is great affection for the school from ex-parents, ex-teachers and anyone who has had anything to do with it. It is situated right in the centre of town, in a superb location.”

People can contact Mr Smith by emailing [email protected]