Cirencester independent school Rendcomb College is closing permanently at the end of the current academic year, bringing an end to its 106-year history.
Coming as a shock to staff, students and parents alike this week, the school says the 'highly unfortunate' decision to close is 'sadly unavoidable', due to a combination of lower-than-hoped-for pupil numbers and the difficult economic situation facing UK independent schools in general.
Citing an 'enormous increase' in its deficit for the current year and a similar forecast for the future, the school says that every other feasible option, including mergers and other forms of funding, was explored before the decision was made.
The news was delivered to the school community on Thursday 22 January 2026, with other local independent schools sharing messages of sadness at the news on social media, along with dedicated web pages for Rendcomb families who will now be searching for new schools for the next academic year.
One Rendcomb staff member commented on a Facebook post from St Edward's Cheltenham that the news was 'equally shocking and saddening' for everyone at the school.
A statement from the school says: 'Despite Rendcomb College’s extremely strong track record as a school, the reality is that current and projected pupil numbers, alongside the economic situation facing independent schools across the country, do not make the school financially viable in the future.
'It has therefore reluctantly been decided that the school will close at the end of the academic year.
'The staff and governors have done everything to make Rendcomb College an excellent school and its closure is highly unfortunate but sadly unavoidable.
'For many years, the college has benefited from significant funding from the Rendcomb College Foundation. Whilst this has made the operation of the college possible until now, the enormous increase in the deficit for the current year, and the anticipated financial picture for next year, mean that such support is unsustainable.
'This is a very sad decision to have taken and follows the exploration of every other feasible option including mergers and other forms of funding.
'Our focus now will be on helping pupils find appropriate alternative provision and assisting our highly professional and dedicated staff to find posts elsewhere.'
