Abbotsholme School: Shock as parents told historic school on Derbyshire border set to close in two weeks

Parents of dozens of Derbyshire pupils were shocked after receiving a letter on Thursday (June 4) informing them their children’s school would close its doors in just two weeks.

Abbotsholme School, located on Derbyshire and Staffordshire border, is an independent day and boarding school offering education to almost 300 pupils aged between two and 20 – with a high number of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reportedly attending the school.

One dad, who did not wish to be named, said: “My eldest daughter is subject to an EHCP with Abbotsholme having confirmed its ability to meet her need.

"I know my daughter is not the only child in this situation – many children who attend this school have special educational needs.

"We and others are now left in a situation of having to find another school that can meet our daughters needs with two weeks notice.”

Abbotsholme School has a long history of providing education to pupils from Derbyshire and beyond since its first opened its doors in 1889.

But the private educational setting was recently bought by Abbotsholme 2026 Limited, led by director Tony Costigan, with the purchase finalised at the end of May.

Parents said pupils’ families raised concerns over the potential impacts of the school’s sale earlier this year, but were reassured that the new owners would continue running the school following the purchase.

Now the school community has been left shocked, with parents given two weeks to find new school settings for their children.

Dr Jen Greenwood, a consultant clinical psychologist from Matlock, who works with a number of children who attend Abbotsholme School, but is not employed by the school, said that the consequences of the sudden closure would be “devastating” – with many children, including a high number of pupils with complex need, left without access to education.

She said: “As a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodevelopmental differences, complex presentations and children who have struggled to access education, I cannot overstate the potential devastation that the closure of Abbotsholme School would cause.

"This is not simply the closure of another independent school.

"Abbotsholme is a truly unique provision and, in my professional experience, one of the very few places that successfully supports a group of children who too often fall through the gaps in our education system.

"For these children and their families, Abbotsholme has been life changing.

"At a time when we are facing a national crisis in SEND provision, with increasing numbers of children unable to attend school and families desperately searching for suitable placements, Abbotsholme should not be closing.

"It should be recognised as an example of what inclusive education can look like when it is done well.”

Abbotsholme School is set to close its doors on Monday, June 22.

The Derbyshire Times has approached the school for a comment.