Kirkham Grammar rescued after financial pressures hit

A top Lancashire private school with a 476-year history has been acquired by an international education group after being hit by mounting financial pressures.

Kirkham Grammar School has been bought by international education group Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Sanstha (MMYS) after administrators were appointed.

The group is described as a global organisation that operates schools across Australia, the United States and India.

The £6,600-a term institution, which has boarders and day pupils, will now operate through Kirkham Grammar International School Limited, with its senior leadership set to be kept in place ahead of the new academic year.

Headteacher Kirsten O’Donoghue described the deal as “a very positive and exciting moment” for the school, which was founded in 1549 and can trace its history back even further.

A letter to parents of students announcing the new ownership spelled out the difficulties the school had been facing – including the government’s introduction of VAT on school fees and hikes to national insurance.

It said: “Following an extensive review of the school’s long-term financial position, the governing board concluded that a combination of factors had made continued operation under the previous ownership structure unsustainable.

“These include sustained inflationary pressures and rising operating costs: significant increases in employer National Insurance contributions and growing pension cost across the sector.”

The letter also cited the removal of business rates relief for independent schools, increasing levels of late and unpaid fees and wider financial pressures facing families.

It added: “In addition, the independent sector has had to navigate a challenging recruitment and retention market, ongoing economic uncertainty and a national decline in pupil number in some areas, exacerbated by negative rhetoric surrounding independent education and increased parental sensitivity to affordability.”

MMYS has acquired the school and its site. According to reports the group promotes Consciousness-Based Education, an approach rooted in Transcendental Meditation founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1974. The approach is used alongside standard academic curricula and aims to develop a child holistically in a stress-free environment.

A state-funded Maharishi School, opened under the Free Schools Programme, already operates in Lancashire, with primary and secondary campuses in the Skelmersdale area.

The schools’ website says its meditation and education techniques “keep the brain functioning at its best, so students can optimize their learning, success and emotional well-being”.

In a statement announcing the new owners, Kirkham Grammar said: “Pupils will benefit from enhanced global connections, cultural exchange opportunities and access to a wider educational network, creating exciting opportunities in areas such as STEM, engineering, innovation and future-focused learning.

“The new owners will seek to build on the school's 476-year heritage, and are committed to working closely with the existing leadership team, recognising their experience, dedication and deep understanding of the school’s traditions.”

School head Kirsten O’Donoghue said: “Kirkham Grammar School has a proud history and an outstanding reputation. This new chapter will protect everything that makes our school special while strengthening the pupil experience through long-term investment, pastoral care, wellbeing, whole child development and international opportunity.”

A spokesperson for MMYS said: “Kirkham Grammar School possesses an extraordinary heritage built over nearly five centuries. It is a privilege for MMYS to become the steward of such a remarkable institution.

“We are committed to preserving the school’s traditions while supporting its future growth, investing in its educational environment, nurturing every pupil and supporting its dedicated staff.”

Another top North West independent school closed its doors in June. Alderley Edge School For Girls blamed “major financial pressures” in recent years for the decision.

The Independent Schools Council has produced figures it says shows the number of children at independent schools has fallen by 30,000 since VAT was introduced. The organisation represents more than 1,500 schools across the country.