Hunter Hall School in Penrith has today announced the launch of an urgent fundraising appeal to secure its continued operation beyond the end of this term.
79 pupils aged 3 – 11 years, 20 staff and 51 local families face the prospect of losing not just their place of education, but also a community that has educated, nurtured and encouraged countless young Cumbrians over the last 40 years since the school opened its doors in 1986.
Over recent weeks, the Board of Governors has been exploring all possible avenues to secure a sustainable long-term solution to save the school. At a full Board meeting held last night, it was concluded, with great reluctance and deep sadness, that the school will be forced to close at the end of this term unless £180,000 can be raised by Wednesday 3 December to secure the future viability of the school.
Head, Paul Borrows, commented:
“For the last four decades, Hunter Hall has offered not only something different, but something innovative in the Cumbrian educational landscape. The school’s independence meant that it could be imaginative in its approach to teaching and learning, not only in terms of what the children learnt but also how and where they learnt. To be now faced with the very real threat of closure in our 40th anniversary year is absolutely devastating.”
The school faces unprecedented financial pressure due to national changes affecting the independent education sector, including the imposition of VAT on school fees, the removal of charitable business rate relief and recent increases in National Insurance contributions.
Despite significant cost-saving measures implemented over the past year, including negotiated rent reductions and staff voluntarily accepting a 7.5% salary reduction, several anticipated savings have not materialised. As a result, the school is facing a larger than expected deficit for the 2025–2026 financial year.
Co-Chair of Governors, Natalie Harling commented:
“This is an immensely difficult moment for our school and our community. Hunter Hall is thriving educationally, with exceptional teaching and a warm, supportive ethos. We remain determined to do everything within our power to protect the school’s future. We are appealing directly to the many families and wider community who have benefitted from our school over the last 40 years to dig deep and give what they can so that together we can save this very special school that has been the making of so many young people.”
The school will hold a meeting for parents on Friday at 7pm, offering both in-person and remote attendance, to provide further information and answer questions.
Hunter Hall is now appealing to its wider community, alumni, local residents and supporters of independent education to help secure the school’s future by contributing to the emergency fundraising campaign.
The fundraising target is £180,000, to be raised by Wednesday 3 December. Donations can be made via the school’s official Crowdfunder page.
With over 20 years of nurturing musical excellence to Hunter Hall children, Lynsey Wrightson, Hunter Hall’s longest serving staff member, summed up the heart-breaking situation:
“Hunter Hall is a unique and cherished part of our local educational landscape – I simply cannot imagine not getting up every morning and coming to this beautiful site and seeing our children’s smiling faces. Please, old Hunters, local businesses, anyone who values what the school brings to the community, now is the time to come together to help in whatever way you can.”
Hunter Hall is Cumbria’s only standalone, independent preparatory and pre-school for children aged 3 – 11 years and is located on the outskirts of Penrith, Cumbria. To make a donation and help save the school, visit the Hunter Hall Crowdfunding page.
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