Scotland’s only Catholic boarding school has officially closed its doors for good, leaving students, parents, and staff members scrambling to make new arrangements. Kilgraston, which has been in operation since 1930, offered education to girls aged five to eighteen and boys aged five to twelve. The closure comes after a failed purchase attempt by Achieve Education, a Chinese-owned company, which led to significant financial challenges for the school.
The school had faced a potential shutdown in 2023, but a massive fundraising effort by parents raised over £1m in just 48 hours, saving it from closure temporarily. However, the recent decision by Achieve Education to back out of the purchase deal left Kilgraston with no choice but to shut down permanently.
The Board of Trustees expressed deep regret over the closure, citing unexpected changes within Achieve Education as the main reason for the school’s financial struggles. Despite efforts to explore other options to keep the school afloat, none proved to be financially feasible, ultimately leading to the decision to close.
With the welfare of staff, students, and parents in mind, the school is now focused on assisting in finding new placements for the affected students. The closure marks the end of an era for Kilgraston and has left the community saddened by the loss of a beloved institution.
Moving forward, families and students are encouraged to seek alternative educational opportunities, with the school pledging to support a smooth transition for all those impacted by the closure. While the closure of Scotland’s only Catholic boarding school is a significant loss, the hope is that students will find new schools where they can continue to thrive and grow academically.