Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, York: One of Yorkshire's top private schools to close at the end of term

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, based in Escrick, York, was founded in 1901 but has said it will close its doors at the end of the summer term on July 5.

A statement from the board of directors said it has been “unable to withstand mounting financial pressures” following the introduction of VAT on school fees.

The decision means Yorkshire will lose two of its most prestigious private schools in the space of a few days with Fulneck School - which dates back to 1753 - set to close on July 8.

Terry Burt, Chair of the Board of Governors at Queen Margaret’s, issued a heartfelt statement on Friday (Jun 13) which said the spirit and values of the school will continue to live on through its former pupils.

He also revealed the school had considered a possible merger or sale of the school, but these came to nothing.

In the statement, which you can read in full below, he said: “Despite the tireless efforts of the school and the board we, like many independent schools, have been unable to withstand mounting financial pressures following the introduction of VAT on school fees, increased national insurance and pension contributions, the removal of charitable-status business rates relief, and rising costs for the upkeep and operation of our estate.

“While we experienced strong student enquiry levels during the autumn, these declined sharply in early 2025 following the implementation of VAT. We have continued to monitor developments closely and kept our forecasts under constant review.

“Unfortunately, our enrolment for September 2025 is below the viable level required to keep the school open beyond the current academic year. This, taken together with our efforts to secure fresh investment proving unsuccessful, means we have been left with no alternative but to close the school.”

Facilities at the school, which ran a shuttle bus between York and Pocklington to the site in Escrick Park, included a theatre, art studios, sports pitches and an on-site riding school.

Earlier this year, it announced it would accept year six pupils from September.

The news of its closure came on the same day a group of pupils, parents and headteachers lost a legal challenge over the imposition of VAT on school fees.

The Christian claimants, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, brought legal action against the Treasury claiming the policy discriminated against them and was incompatible with human rights law.

They have said they plan to appeal the decision.

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls’ statement in full:

It is with the deepest regret that The Board of Governors, on 13th June 2025, announce the closure of Queen Margaret’s School at the end of the summer term on 5th July 2025.

Despite the tireless efforts of the School and the Board we, like many independent schools, have been unable to withstand mounting financial pressures following the introduction of VAT on school fees, increased national insurance and pension contributions, the removal of charitable-status business rates relief, and rising costs for the upkeep and operation of our estate.

Over the past 18 months, the Board has worked hard to respond to these challenges, proactively managing resources, introducing energetic new leadership, and expanding our marketing efforts.

Supported by experienced advisors, we also undertook a strategic review of our funding options and pursued every possible avenue in a search for fresh investment.

This included a possible merger or sale of the School that led to advanced discussions with several interested parties. Unfortunately, none of these routes resulted in a successful outcome for Queen Margaret's.

While we experienced strong student enquiry levels during the autumn, these declined sharply in early 2025 following the implementation of VAT. We have continued to monitor developments closely and kept our forecasts under constant review.

Unfortunately, our enrolment for September 2025 is below the viable level required to keep the school open beyond the current academic year. This, taken together with our efforts to secure fresh investment proving unsuccessful, means we have been left with no alternative but to close the School.

The School is unable to meet the costs of closure, and it is for this reason it has filed a Notice to Appoint an Administrator earlier today.

This is a heart-wrenching decision that no governing body wants to take, and we fully recognise that the closure of Queen Margaret’s will be deeply distressing for the whole QM community.

Our priority is the wellbeing of our pupils, their families and all of our incredible teaching staff, and we are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible for everyone.

We will work closely with every family to achieve the best possible solution for every pupil and will provide ongoing support to all members of staff.

Education and the day-to-day running of the School, including external exams, will continue as normal until the end of the summer term. Sports Day, Art Exhibition, Speech Day and the Leavers’ Ball will all go ahead as planned.

While this will inevitably be an emotional time, particularly for our girls and staff, we also recognise the importance of marking the end of their time at QM in a positive and meaningful way that will support their transition to the next stage of their journeys.

Alongside helping families plan the next steps in their daughters’ education, we are also creating a programme of activities to give the girls the chance to come together, celebrate their collective achievements, cherish their friendships, and create memories which will stay with them forever.

Queen Margaret’s is a truly special School, and we would like to thank everyone who has played a part in making it the place that it is; from every member of staff, past and present, to every parent and guardian who has entrusted us with the education of their daughter. But most of all, we thank the generations of amazing girls who have shaped QM into the vibrant community it is today.

For 125 years, girls have been nurtured here, forming lifelong friendships and building the foundations from which they have flourished and thrived - both in school and beyond. Queen Margaret’s values and ethos will always live on through them.

Terry Burt Chair of the Board of Governors