Rendcomb College, the independent day and boarding school near Cirencester that educated children from ages three to 18, closed permanently on Friday 3 July. In the weeks since the shutdown, the school’s supporting charity has opened a formal consultation about reshaping its objectives to continue backing education in the area.
Charity proposes broader educational purpose
The charity that historically provided significant financial support to the school, the Rendcomb College Foundation, says the current charitable objects — which centred on providing land and buildings for Rendcomb College and contributing to its running costs — can no longer be pursued now the college has shut.
“The foundation’s current charitable purposes are to advance the education of pupils attending Rendcomb College by providing land and buildings for the use of the college and making contributions towards the college’s operating costs. With the closure of the college on Friday, July 3, it is no longer possible to further these purposes.”
Trustees have set out a proposed replacement purpose: to advance education for the public benefit, including supporting schools. They say this would allow the foundation to continue focusing on young people’s education even though the college itself has closed.
Why the college closed
The college cited a combination of pressures in announcing the decision to stop operating. Those factors included low pupil numbers, the recent introduction of VAT on school fees and rises in National Insurance, which trustees say together made the school unsustainable.
Trustees have told parents and the public that they are preparing an application to submit to the Charity Commission to approve the change of charitable purpose. They also indicate there are plans around the college site’s future once any necessary legal steps are completed.
- Closure date: Friday 3 July
- Pupils catered for: ages 3 to 18
- Charity action: consultation on changing charitable purposes
Local impact and next steps
The closure will have immediate consequences for families, staff and the wider Cirencester community that used the college as an educational and cultural resource. The foundation’s consultation is intended to set out how any remaining funds and assets might be redeployed in pursuit of educational benefit elsewhere.
Trustees say they will submit the proposed changes to the Charity Commission for approval. The consultation notice on the Rendcomb College website sets out the rationale and invites responses as the trustees decide how best to proceed.
| Issue | Current position |
|---|---|
| School status | Closed (from 3 July) |
| Charitable purpose | Consultation to change to "advancement of education for the public benefit" |
| Next formal step | Application to the Charity Commission |
For parents and local residents seeking further detail, the Rendcomb College website carries the foundation’s consultation notice and contact details for responses. The outcome of the trustees’ deliberations and any Charity Commission decision will determine how the foundation’s remaining resources are used in future.
