Formby Secondary School set to close at the end of the Summer term

A high school in Formby has confirmed it will close for good at the end of the summer term because of ‘financial pressures.’

Clarence High School is operated by Nugent Care, with the company citing ‘ongoing financial pressures’ as the reason behind its ‘extremely difficult decision’ to close.

Sadly Clarence High School in Formby will close at the end of the summer term.

Clarence High School is based in Freshfield, Formby and provides both residential and day placements in a therapeutic setting for girls and boys aged 7 - 19 years old, with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and who may also experience associated difficulties, including those on the autistic spectrum. Clarence High School is part of Nugent Care, a voluntary organisation that has been supporting adults, children and communities since 1881.

The most recent Ofsted report quoted: "Last year’s school leavers gained a good range of accreditations and every student moved on to further education."

Clarence High School is a successful school that makes sure that all children and young people make great progress. The school harbours a therapeutic ethos which informs all interactions with the children and young people. The relationships we nurture with students, parents and carers are second to none, constantly updating and working closely with a range of professionals through multi-agency partnerships to ensure that each child’s needs are fully understood and met.

A Nugent spokesperson said: “We have provided an educational facility here for many years, with the school rated GOOD by Ofsted."

“The principal and staff have worked hard to help so many young people make such great progress not only in their own abilities and lives, but also in their learning and have achieved some great exam results."

“We are very proud of these achievements for the pupils and the school, and that makes this decision all the harder. Unfortunately, we have had to review our options from an economic viewpoint."

“The school will of course remain focused and dedicated to the continuing care and education of the pupils up to the end of the summer term.”

Clarence High School is a large and ageing school building where hundreds of children were once taught. Currently the site offers education to around 25 students, with 38 staff.

Nugent says it is working hard with local authorities and other stakeholders to offer a smooth transition and continuity of education for pupils.

It also hopes to redeploy as many staff as possible within the company.

The previous Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Iain Brodie-Browne visited Clarence High on 14th March 2017 when he had an invitation from Nugent. He met Tony Saleh, School Principal pictured right.