Parents of pupils at a private preparatory school in Kingston have said they feel "cheated" after Inspired Learning Group (ILG), an independent school group, announced that it will be closing the school due to Labour's recent introduction of VAT on private school fees.

The 20% tax led to a sharp drop in pupil numbers at Park Hill, the school said.

ILG broke the news to parents in a letter last Wednesday (4 June), announcing that it will be closing Kingston's Park Hill Preparatory School after 75 years and offering parents the option to relocate their children to ILG's sister school Westbury House in New Malden.

According to ILG, the class sizes of Park Hill are very small, often with only three students, and it believes that relocating pupils to a larger community at Westbury House will be beneficial.

Westbury House is located at 80 Westbury Rd, New Malden KT3 5AS (Image via Google Maps)

The offer for this relocation will enable Park Hill students to relocate schools either in September 2025 or in January 2026 and the Park Hill site will be repurposed to become a stand-alone, full-time nursery.

ILG said: "This development allows us to expand our provision to welcome even younger children into our care, enhancing the quality and continuity of early years education in the area."

In an exclusive interview with Kingston Nub News, a "deeply concerned parent" of children at the school, who wishes to remain anonymous said: "I feel blindsided by a devastating and poorly handled decision made by the Inspired Learning Group.

"This abrupt and heartbreaking announcement affects over 120 children currently enrolled — some of whom were set to enter Year 6 this September, their final and most important year, and others who were just beginning their educational journey in Reception.

"As a parent with children at Park Hill — who have been part of the school community since my eldest was just two years old — I am outraged at the calculated timing of this announcement."

She added: "The news was delivered after the summer half-term and following all Local Education Authority deadlines for school place applications in September.

"This means families have now missed the opportunity to apply for places elsewhere, effectively trapping them with no clear options.

"Many of us chose Park Hill specifically for its nurturing and continuous care from nursery through to Year 6. Parents now find themselves contractually bound — or being pressured — to accept places at ILG's sister school in New Malden.

"After being treated with such disregard, many of us want nothing more than to walk away entirely — yet we are being cornered.

"What's even more appalling is the internal handling of this closure. Staff were not informed prior to the announcement. The newly appointed headteacher, who left a prior post to take on this role, was only made aware shortly before the public and is now being left jobless come January.

"Long-standing teachers — some with 20 years of dedicated service — are being terminated, with zero transparency or care shown for their livelihoods or wellbeing.

"This isn't just poor communication — it's corporate profiteering at its most shameful. ILG has shown no ethical responsibility toward the families who trusted them, the children whose education and emotional wellbeing are now in limbo, or the dedicated staff who made the school what it was.

"This is not just a school closure — it's the destruction of a trusted community, a safe haven for many children, and a betrayal of values that education should stand for. Parents deserve answers. Teachers deserve respect. And our children deserve better."

The parent explained that ILG's decision to share the news of Park Hill's closure with parents so close to the end of the school year is "unethical".

She added: "I think the thing that really triggers me is that if they had told us this pre the Easter holidays in April, we would have been able to apply for either state schools or give them notice to take them out in September. But now we're stuck. Contractually, we have to send them back."

However, ILG says that the relocation to Westbury House is optional.

The parent said that her eldest daughter was "devasted" when she heard about Park Hill's closure and that she was crying. She also reports seeing teachers at the school crying the morning after ILG sent out its letter.

In a meeting with Park Hill's Head Teacher, Mrs Nunn, parents were told that School visits to Westbury House and integration events will be arranged for children to see the school in action and spend some time there to help support pupils' transition.

Justin Spanswick, chief operating officer at Inspired Learning Group, told Kingston Nub News: "'Inspired Learning Group has taken the strategic decision to relocate our pupils from Park Hill school in Kingston upon Thames, to join our well-regarded sister school, Westbury House, which is located a short distance away.

"This decision was made because of the downward trend in pupil numbers at Park Hill, due in part to the introduction of VAT on school fees. The benefit of being in a private group is that we can protect both settings and ensure the continuity and quality of education for our children, who will always remain our top priority. 

"This important development represents a key step in ILG's long-term vision to further strengthen Westbury House in the current climate and ensure it continues to thrive as a high-achieving, nurturing, and forward-thinking school at the heart of our community. 

"Our Park Hill setting will be repurposed as a standalone, full-time nursery setting welcoming children from three months old. This nursery will serve as a dedicated feeder into Westbury House, enabling more families to benefit from the quality education and values that define our schools. Our strategy continues to serve the local community with the best educational support and outcomes as possible."

Amit Mehta, chief executive of the school's owner, Inspired Learning Group, added: "Following careful reflection, we have made the strategic decision to relocate pupils from Park Hill to join our sister school, Westbury House, from January 2026.

"We are incredibly proud of everything Park Hill has achieved over the years. However, like many schools, it also faces challenges, and this evolution offers fresh opportunities for all our pupils."

Park Hill has been contacted for comment.