Alderley Edge School for Girls rescue plan now on the table

In February this year, the board of governors at Alderley Edge School for Girls (AESG) made the shock announcement it would be closing the independent school due to 'immense challenges' including 'unprecedented cost pressures'.

Since that announcement, the Parent Rescue Group has been set up to save the school from closure - proposed for July 7 - and members have been working around the clock to provide a viable alternative.

Now, after two months of talks and planning, the group has jumped its last hurdle and a rescue package has been put on the table for the governors to consider.

Knutsford dad Adam Gough, the Parent Rescue Group leader, said: "In the past two months we have been working all the hours we can to put together a rescue package.

"This is now in the hands of governors to decide if they really do want to save the school.

"We are reaching the final throes of this extremely difficult situation for our daughters and the staff. This could be the last chance.

"We implore the governors to remember who is at the heart of this - our daughters, who are their ultimate obligation.

"We do not underestimate the weight of the current situation on the governors. but ask that they grasp the opportunity and do all they can to save the school."

Adam revealed the rescue packaged delivered to the governors this weekend contains a funding proposal backed by an offer to lend more than £4 million, a financial model with a five-year cash flow, and a high-level transition action plan.

The rescue package comes after a detailed business plan, covering core aspects of the initial proposal to save and regrow the school, was previously submitted.

To get to this point, Adam says the Parent Rescue Group has dealt with 18 educational partners as well as numerous lenders, investors, brokers, and educational advisors to ensure every option to save the school is explored.

He added: "We are still actively pursuing all interests and have a meeting with investors who are looking at an alternative approach to investing in the school aside from the lending offer secured."

The group's work to save AESG has not been plain sailing and has been carried out against a backdrop of difficulties faced by their daughters in transitioning to other schools.

Adam said: "While all this has been taking place there have been parents who had to make the tough decision to move their daughters.

"We have heard numerous stories of these moves not going well and girls finding it extremely difficult to settle.

"Parents who have been forced to leave have stated their intention to return as there really isn’t anything like the educational and pastoral experience provided for girls by AESG."

AESG said the board's decision close the school followed 'exhaustive consideration' and was made 'with deep sadness'.

They cited the introduction of VAT on school fees, the removal of business rates relief, higher employer national insurance contributions, and rising costs, along with a significant reduction in numbers over recent years, as key factors in their consideration that AESG is no longer financially sustainable.