Fight to save private school (From Western Telegraph)

Fight to save private school

AN eleventh-hour rescue package is being put together to save one of Pembroke-shires three private schools from closure.

Haylett Grange, Haverford-west, is to close at the end of the summer term. The school has been sold by its owners, Mike and Jane Gilbert, to a buyer who is understood to be converting it into a private residence.

The couple bought the school two years ago from Joan Sharpe, who founded the school in 1956 with Jocelyn Hanby.

In the past two years, pupil numbers have fallen from 120 to about 40. Members of staff have also left.

But two couples are hoping to keep the school going in alternative premises in Haverfordwest.

Peter and Meryl Lovegrove, and Drs Vipul and Reka Vipulendran, who live near Camrose, unsuccessfully bid for the school building.

Meryl is a former maths and science teacher at the school, while Peter is a local businessman. Vipul is a consultant paediatrician at Withybush Hospital and Reka is a doctor. The couple have a daughter at Haylett. The four would be equal partners in the school, with Meryl as headteacher. They held a meeting with staff and parents last week and were overwhelmed with the level of support.

Said Peter: 'It is vital that people have the choice to send their children to a state school or one in the private sector.

'We know that we can work in partnership with parents to provide all the children, as individuals, with the support they need to reach their full potential.

We hope to attract as much support as possible and increase the number of pupils to around 70 in the next couple of years. Mrs Sharpe supports their plans: 'I do hope that ultimately the school will continue.'

Mr and Mrs Gilbert declined to comment on the situation. The other two private schools in Pembrokeshire are a Rudolph Steiner School at Nant-y-Cwm, Llanycefn and Netherwood School, Saundersfoot, which has recently taken on an extra 15 to 20 pupils, mostly from the Haverfordwest area.

Prospective parents can contact Peter and Meryl Lovegrove on 01437 762816.