Over 60 years Putney Park has educated children in SW15 but is this the last year?

Parents of children attending Putney Park School on Putney Park Lane received an unsettling email yesterday warning them that the future of the school was uncertain.

The email told parents:"..as a result of the continued economic downturn and despite providing an excellent education promoted by our best marketing efforts, significantly fewer families are now choosing to pay for the quality of education that we provide. You will have noticed that pupil numbers have declined dramatically over the past few years from a total of more than 350 to just over 50 in the Junior School and 70 in the Senior School today.

This decision has not been taken lightly. In view of this year’s low intake and the projections for September 2013 entry, it is with sadness that it is not possible to maintain a financially viable school beyond the end of this academic year. We are therefore proposing for the school to close on 4th July."

The school website states that the school was established in 1953 by Miss Jean Tweedie-Smith whose Philosophy was “To Bring out the Best in Every Child”. Miss Tweedie-Smith’s nephew, Mr Brian Tweedie-Smith, is now the Principal.

PutneySW15.com were told: "there is a proposal that the school may close at the end of this academic year but this is not confirmed."

A parent at the school told PutneySW15.com:"People are getting really angry and disappointed as he promised at the last meeting "everything would be fine". Parents and the children are all very upset. It is disrupting so many families lives, including kids, teachers, and the parents who accepted year 7 positions".

March 1, 2013