A historic Worcestershire school is to close this summer despite £1m being raised to save it.

The future of Abberley Hall School was thrown into doubt in February when Malvern College said it would no longer provide financial support.

Malvern College said Abberley Hall had suffered “significant losses” in recent years and would stop funding the prep school at the end of the academic year.

This is despite Abberley being part of the Malvern College Family of Schools since September 2019.

READ MORE: Abberley Hall school faces closure amid financial pressure

A group of parents, ex-pupils and teachers formed in a bid to save the school - and managed to raise more than £1 million.

But their efforts appear to have been in vain and the 144-year-old Abberley Hall, which was named Tatler School of the Year in September, will close at the end of the summer term.

“It is deeply disappointing that the school will not be allowed to transition into becoming an independent school under new governance,” the parent group said in a statement.

“We would like to thank the parents, staff and working parents’ group for their passion, support, and patience in this extremely sad time.

“Regrettably, the uncertainty created by the consultation implemented by the Malvern College-appointed governors, has led to unbearable doubt about the future of Abberley Hall school resulting in a loss of confidence in September numbers.

“Under the governance of Malvern College, articles of association of the school were recently changed meaning that Malvern College, as the creditor, will benefit from any surplus when the school closes.

READ MORE: Parents raise £800,000 to save school threatened with closure

“We would ask Malvern College to give this back to the Abberley Hall Foundation, a charity established to benefit the future of ex-Abberley Hall pupils and staff.”

Rhoddy Swire, spokesperson for the Abberley Hall Parent Group, said: “As an OA, ex-chairman of the governors and with grandchildren currently at the school, Abberley is a very special place for my family.

“It is therefore with the deepest sadness that we are unable to proceed with the transition of the school to be independent.

“The parent group has moved mountains in their efforts to provide the school with a long-term future, normally the role of the incumbent governors.”