Swaminarayan School in UK announces closure by July 2019

One of the UK's well-known privately-run Hindu faith schools here has announced its closure from July next year due to increasing regulatory requirements, declining pupil numbers and difficulties in recruitment and retention of teachers, a decision which has left parents surprised and disappointed.

The Akshar Educational Trust, which runs the Brent-based Swaminarayan School, said in a statement that it plans to exit the education sector completely by July 2020.

It blamed increasing regulatory requirements, difficulties in the recruitment and retention of teachers, ready availability of fee-free state-funded Hindu schools, and declining pupil numbers for the decision.

"It is indeed very sad, particularly for our pupils, staff and parents. We explored several options before arriving at this difficult decision. We have given all parents one year's notice to find an alternative school as well as a commitment to our staff that their employment is secure for the academic year 2018-19," said Jitu Patel, Chair of the Trust.

The Swaminarayan School, set up in 1992, is popular within the large Indian-origin community based in the borough of Brent in north-west London, many of whom were willing to pay the 4,310 pounds per-term fees to enroll their children.

The news of its closure has been received with surprise and disappointment by the parents, who will now have to look for alternatives from the next academic year.

But the trust said that mounting pressures in recent years had hampered its ability to invest in the resources required to sustain the improvements needed in the school, both educationally and for its infrastructure.

Nilesh Manani, Head of the Senior School since it opened, said: "The children and staff are some of the very best I have had the privilege of supporting and we will strive to ensure that our education standards are maintained until the very end."
Umesh Raja, Head of the prep school, said: "It is very sad, but the most important thing now is for everyone to work together over the next two years, especially for the pupils remaining at our school."