Parents raise £800,000 to save Abberley Hall School

But £800,000 has already been raised to help save Abberley Hall School which has been earmarked for closure.

It was announced earlier this month that the school was struggling financially and would close at the end of the academic year unless additional funding was found.

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Fight back begins to save Worcestershire school set for closure

Councillor confident Abberley Hall School can be saved

Malvern College has been supporting Abberley Hall financially for the past few years and initially said it would be unable to do so beyond this academic year.

It has since said it will provide a further half a million pounds, subject to “sufficient fundraising by the Abberley Hall community”.

'I am praying the school can gain financial independence'

That fundraising is well underway, with parents, teachers and alumni busy gathering support and working on a “turnaround plan” to save the school.

Claire Marsh, whose children have both attended Abberley Hall, started a petition calling for Malvern College to honour their original £1 million grant. It has been signed almost 3,000 times.

“We are all shocked by Malvern's announcement,” she said.

“Many parents believe it sounds like not enough efforts have been made to explore all options for the future of the school.

“All of the parents, teachers and staff were impressed by a parent group turnaround plan and that a significant amount of money has already been raised to make this happen.

Abberley Hall pupils Beatrice Smith and Ellie Marsh (Image: NQ)

“I’ve done the homework and I firmly believe Abberley Hall is viable as a stand-alone school.”

Another Abberley mum, Lorna Hawthorn, said: “The news that Abberley Hall School was facing potential closure was a huge shock for our family.

“As a mum of five children who have attended Abberley Hall, two who are still there, the thought that such a magical place could close is devastating. Abberley Hall is like a family to me, the community is so welcoming and supportive.

“I am praying the school can manage to gain financial independence so it can continue to be the place where children can be children and every day is filled with fun.”