Hundreds of pupils will be seeking a new home after a historic Perthshire boarding school announced it was closing.

Pupils at Kilgraston School were left in tears following the shock announcement on Thursday.

The school, which has operated for nearly 100 years for boys – from five to twelve-years-old – and girls will close at the end of term.

In a letter sent out on Thursday June 1, chairman of the board of trustees, Thomas Steuart Fothringham, said they were left with “no alternative”.

A combination of factors including the recovery form the Covid-19 lockdowns have played a contributing factor.

Mr Fothringham said: “Following a meeting of the Board of Trustees on May 25, I am extremely sorry to let you know that the Trustees have made the difficult decision to close Kilgraston at the end of this term.

“This has been an immensely challenging, and heart-breaking, decision for the Trustees, and I know that the news will also be very hard for you and your children.

“However, having considered and pursued all other alternatives to exhaustion we are, for reasons of financial viability, left with no alternative.”

What were some of the factors behind the closure?

• As a girls’ school (with the exception of a small number of boys in the Junior School) their potential market is half the size of other schools.
• There has been a consistent downward trend in demand for girls’ only schools in the UK.
• Some parents do not wish to send their children to a Faith school, as the UK becomes more secular in nature.
• The loss of income resulting from COVID-19 lockdowns and lengthy travel restrictions on the international boarding market.

Speaking to The Courier one parent said her daughter was in tears following the announcement.

Conservative MSP, Murdo Fraser, described the closure as a “major blow” to the local economy.

He said: “This is devastating news for staff and pupils at this long-established and highly regarded Perthshire school. It also represents a major blow to the local economy.

“I hope that the necessary support will be provided to those that lose their jobs and places found at other schools for pupils continuing their education.

“Sadly rising costs have been a major factor, including the imposition of non-domestic rates by the SNP Government.

“At the time this measure was introduced we warned that the consequence would be school closures, and it is sad to see that now happening.”

Parents and guardians are invited to attend a meeting with a group of trustees and governors at the school at 10am on Friday June 2.

The main building at Kilgraston School was built by Francis Grant of Glenlochy around 1800.

It served as a private house right up until the First World War before being transformed into a hospital for injured soldiers.

The Society of the Sacred Heart purchased the home and grounds in 1930 before it opened as a school.