A village independent school has announced its closure with immediate effect. Brookes UK, formerly known as Cherry Trees, in Flempton Road Risby near Bury St Edmunds made the announcement on its website yesterday.
It said despite the ‘tireless efforts’ of the school’s leadership team, governors and staff it had declared a state of insolvency. It will now enter voluntary liquidation. David Rose, director at Brookes Education Group said: “This school has always been more than just a place of learning. It has been a community of committed educators, supportive families and talented young people. We are devastated to see it close.”
The school’s board of directors thanked the families, staff, students and local community for their ‘unwavering support’ over the years. In February the school announced it was moving away from the national curriculum and was to relaunch as the region’s newest International Baccalaureate school. It was aimed at moving it in line with the other schools in the Brookes Education Group in Moscow, Canada and India.
Susan Glossop, West Suffolk councillor for Risby said: “I’m absolutely shocked and saddened. Obviously we want to have all types of schools with all different types of pupils. I’m really, really quite shocked.” Cllr Glossp added her surprise at the closure was compounded as the school was linked to other schools internationally. Brookes UK was due to recommence its local flexi boarding in September for UK citizens and international boarding the following year. At the time Charley King, of the school, said pupil numbers were down eight to ten percent since the introduction of VAT on private schools. Under a phased plan it was hoped the school would be able to double its pupil numbers to 180 by 2028.
The insolvency process will be managed by Hayley Watson and Andrew McTear, licensed insolvency practitioners at McTear Williams & Wood Limited, who have been appointed to oversee the winding down of the school’s affairs.
www.suffolknews.co.uk
29 July 2025