Despite the hard work and efforts of so many people, the number of young people joining Chenies in Reception each year is very low. Nationally, the birth rate has fallen significantly over the last decade, and the realities of this are being felt by schools across the country.

We have worked tirelessly to try and manage the pressures that these declining numbers have had. Every step has been taken to preserve everything that makes Chenies so special, while also doing what we can to use finances effectively and encourage more people to come to our school. There has been some real success, but sadly we are left facing a very difficult reality.

That is why, with a very heavy heart, we have to inform you that the Secretary of State for Education and our Trustees have made the hugely difficult decision to launch a process to start the process of closing Chenies at the end of this academic year (July 2027).

A listening period about this decision has now commenced. This is a four-week process providing an opportunity for our school community to understand the reasons behind the decision to close the school, ask questions and share their views about how we may proceed. This closes on December 1 2026 at 17:00. Please click on the link below to read more.