Belmont School in Surrey has announced it is to close on Friday after 143 years.
The 200-pupil school said it had been affected by falling numbers of full-fee paying pupils, higher interest rates and increased operating costs.
The 3 to 16 school with day and boarding provision has confirmed it will close at the end of term (Fri Dec 15).
Marc Broughton, head of the school, said in a statement on its website: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have contacted the parent body yesterday to confirm the closure of Belmont School on the 15th of December.
“We have worked tirelessly to exhaust all avenues to find an answer to this situation, but the governing body, Save Belmont team and school leaders have sadly been unable to come up with a viable solution.
Chair of governors Andrew Baker said: “Sadly, we have not been able to find a solution to save Belmont School. The rescue plan that was actioned by the Belmont community to try to save the school was a clear demonstration of the incredible spirit and community within the Belmont family and we are indebted to the efforts of so many.”
In 2019 the school decided to extend its age range and the school buildings in an attempt to remain financially viable and now has pupils aged between three and 16.
One parent told the BBC the loss of the school would be “devastating” while another described it as a “magical place”.
Mr Broughton added: “In my short tenure as Belmont Head, I have been so immensely proud to lead a school with such wonderful staff and pupils. Since the moment I set foot on site it was clear that Belmont held a very special place in the hearts of so many people.”
The school was founded in Blackheath, south-east London, in 1880 and moved to the current site between Dorking and Guildford in 1957.