One of Wirral’s oldest private schools is expected to shut its doors at the end of the summer term, due to falling pupil numbers

Jun 2 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

ONE of Wirral’s oldest private schools is expected to shut its doors at the end of the summer term, due to falling pupil numbers.

The directors of Mostyn House School, in Parkgate, said the number of students has fallen below a “viable level” during this academic year – and there has been minimal recruitment for the new year starting in September.

The school, which is based in landmark buildings on The Parade, in Parkgate, has been given financial support by the founding Grenfell family to keep it running this year.

But on Sunday, the school said its headmistress, Suzi Grenfell, who is the sixth generation head, will be working with her management team to ensure that pupils are placed as quickly as possible in alternative schools.

Nicholas Marten, bursar, said numbers have fallen to 85 for next September.

Glyn Dale-Jones, the chairman, said: “It is incredibly sad that a school with such a unique heritage that has provided such a wonderful start in life for so many pupils will have to close its doors.”

In a letter to parents posted on the school’s website, Mr Dale-Jones said: “The family and the Governors also hoped that the economy would recover sufficiently to boost pupil numbers to a viable level for the academic year starting in September 2010.