Update on St Joseph’s Parkhill School – April 17 2025
We have announced that St Joseph’s Park Hill School, Burnley will be closing its doors at the end of the summer term 2025.
St Joseph’s Park Hill has always been a special place that has made a real impact on generations of children and a positive contribution to the wider community. However, despite the very best efforts of many people connected with the school, it has proved difficult to secure a viable and stable future given the unrelenting headwinds we face.
The number of pupils will drop by at least a third over the course of this academic year, which we believe is in part because of the addition of VAT on fees. This, alongside a declining birth rate and increased taxation in terms of National Insurance contributions and the removal of business rates relief for independent schools, meant that the projected deficit in just two years stood at many hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Through the recent consultation period, a significant number of innovative options were explored and discussed – but none were found that enabled the school to maintain the high standards that parents value, were consistent with the obligations of being a charity, or generated enough consistent income.
The long-term viability of the school was always at the forefront of our thinking. We didn’t want the school to be in a position where we were putting the community through this difficult process again in 12 or 24 months.
Our priority as we all process this news is the wellbeing of our pupils, their families, and all our incredible teaching and staff teams. We are doing what we can to support them.
For any enquiries, please contact: iolm@iolmercy.org.uk
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St Joseph’s School was started in 1913 in Yorkshire Street by the Sisters of Mercy. In 1957 a new school was built at Park Hill, where three Sisters taught. It is still owned by the Sisters of Mercy, and Maria Whitehead is currently Headteacher.
St Joseph’s is a small school with a warm, friendly atmosphere where the children are known personally by all the staff. We have a broad, enriched curriculum which provides many activities and opportunities, both sporting and musical. The children enjoy their learning experience and are encouraged to do their best, achieving excellent results.
The Catholic ethos permeates all areas of the school. Pupils learn to care for each other, and respect different cultures. We welcome children from all faiths.
The school has the benefit of extensive grounds, and offers a before and after school service as well as a 4-week summer school.
St Joseph’s School, Park Hill
Padiham Road, Burnley, BB12 6TG
Tel: 01282 455622