Avon House school near Essex closed with 'immediate effect'

Avon House Preparatory School in Woodford Green, located on the Essex-London border near Chigwell, confirmed it will not reopen after the summer break.

It had operated on its current site since 1965, having originally been known as Essex House Preparatory School.

The independent school educated children aged three to 11.

In a statement published on the school website, a spokesman said: "It is with much sadness that we are announcing the closure of the school with immediate effect."

The school was renamed Avon House School in the early 1950s and bought by Sheila Ferrari in 1970, providing a "family school" for pupils.

As an independent school, parents and guardians paid fees for pupils aged 3 to 11 to attend.

Avon House had a capacity to accommodate 275 pupils and, according to the Government website, it most recently had 214 children enrolled.

"We have explored a number of options to try and save the school from closure but in recent days it became obvious that was not meant to be," the statement continues.

"The school has struggled with financial pressures including the introduction of VAT on school fees and the rise in NI and pension costs.

"We have always put our pupils at the heart of school life both academically and pastorally under the banner of 'Celebrating and supporting every child' and we know that many pupils who have journeyed through our school have gone on to great success."

"We wish all our pupils and families the best for the future as they embrace new schools in the locality."