Question 1

Was Loughborough Amherst School a good school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it was an excellent institution. The ISI awarded it 'Excellent' across all areas in 2024. Under Headmaster James Neville from 2023, the school reported improvement in its public examination profile. The school closed at the end of the 2024-25 academic year due to economic pressures (VAT on fees, rising operating costs), not educational quality.

Question 2

What made Loughborough Amherst School unique?

Accepted Answer

It was Loughborough's only fully co-educational all-through independent school (ages 4-18), offering seamless progression without institutional changes. Founded in 1844, it retained Grade II-listed Gothic Revival buildings on a 10-acre campus. Pupils accessed the Midlands' only All-Steinway Music Department and world-class Parkin Sports Centre through the Foundation. Teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:7.6 with class sizes capped at 20 enabled intensely personalised teaching. The Minerva philosophy integrated academic rigour with wellbeing and balance.

Question 3

What were the school fees?

Accepted Answer

Termly fees ranged from approximately £4,365 (nursery) to £5,690 (senior school) per term, inclusive of VAT from January 2025. Boarding fees for the elite LUNTA tennis programme were additional. An acceptance deposit of £400 was payable upon place confirmation. The school maintained a commitment to means-tested financial assistance but did not publish bursary percentages publicly.

Question 4

What sports and activities did the school offer?

Accepted Answer

Mainstream sports included football, netball, hockey, rugby, cricket, athletics, basketball, swimming and table tennis. An elite partnership with Loughborough University National Tennis Academy brought world-class coaching, with a 2023 pupil winning Junior Wimbledon Boys' singles. Academic clubs included Young Medics, Philosophy Society, Young Enterprise, Debating and STEM Crest Award. Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Bronze to Gold), Combined Cadet Force, drama productions and music ensembles rounded out a comprehensive co-curricular programme.

Question 5

What was the school's religious character?

Accepted Answer

Loughborough Amherst was a Roman Catholic school founded in 1844 by Rosminian Sisters. Mass and collective worship occurred regularly; Religious Studies was compulsory at GCSE. The school welcomed pupils of all faiths and avoided doctrinal pressure on non-Catholic families, implementing Catholic values (justice, compassion, community) in an inclusive manner. The Grade II-listed chapel remained the architectural and spiritual centrepiece.

Question 6

Where did pupils go after leaving the school?

Accepted Answer

In the 2023-24 cohort, 50% progressed to university, 16% entered employment and 3% began apprenticeships. The all-through model meant most primary pupils progressed to senior school and most secondary pupils continued to sixth form. Sixth form leavers distributed across a range of universities. Upon closure in July 2025, the majority of current pupils were offered places at sibling Foundation schools (Fairfield Prep, Loughborough Grammar, Loughborough High School).

Question 7

Why did Loughborough Amherst School close?

Accepted Answer

The school closed at the end of the 2024-25 academic year following a governance decision that rising operating costs, the introduction of VAT on school fees (from January 2025), increases in National Minimum Wage, and changes to business rates and employers' national insurance rendered the school financially unsustainable. The closure represented a structural economic challenge facing smaller independent schools rather than educational failure; the school's ISI inspection in 2024 awarded 'Excellent' ratings across all areas.

Question 8

Can families still enrol at Loughborough Amherst School?

Accepted Answer

No. Loughborough Amherst School closed permanently on 4 July 2025. The school no longer admits pupils. Families seeking similar educational provision in Leicestershire might explore Fairfield Preparatory School (primary), Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough High School, or Ratcliffe College (all independent day and boarding options in the East Midlands).

A-Level Performance

Grade Distribution