St John’s School in Porthcawl is lined up to join Welsh independent schools’ group Heathfield Independent Schools.
The company, led by educational entrepreneur Andrew McCarthy, has agreed terms with the Church in Wales to secure ownership of the school.
With the aim of finalising an agreement later this month, this is the latest addition to Heathfield Independent Schools after it stepped in to save Kings Monkton School in Cardiff in April.
Andrew McCarthy of Heathfield Independent Schools, said: “When we were considering other independent schools to join our group, St John’s Porthcawl was a natural fit for us as its family ethos matched that of our current school Kings Monkton in Cardiff.
“St John’s Porthcawl provides a close environment in which every pupil feels cared for, secure and supported in their school life, allowing them to work to the best of their ability and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and develop.
“It is a very well-known school with a successful track record. With our planned investment in the school’s facilities we aim to improve the environment for staff and pupils and further strengthen its offering for the future
“The move will also mean that both Kings Monkton and St John’s Porthcawl will benefit from being part of a wider school group sharing best practice and teaching expertise.”
Set in its own wooded grounds and close to the beach, St John’s Porthcawl is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 2 ½ – 16. Founded in 1921, the school currently has 115 pupils who travel each day from as far west as Carmarthen through to Bridgend and Cowbridge in the east.
As well as investment into the school’s facilities, Heathfield Independent Schools plans to introduce a number of scholarships across the school ahead of the new academic year, as well as several means-tested bursaries.
Carol Clint, headmistress at St John’s, said: “We are all extremely positive about joining Heathfield Independent Schools and delighted that ownership of the school will remain in Wales.
“We have been very impressed with Heathfield’s approach from the outset as they have a thorough understanding of the local market. The team’s fresh and exciting vision for the school and the planned improvements will undoubtedly be welcomed by both staff and pupils and it is fantastic that we will be able to immediately offer a number of scholarships and bursaries. More importantly, they are committed to providing first-class, value-for-money independent education, while maintaining the unique family ethos that defines our school.
“Since taking over Kings Monkton School in Cardiff last month, they have made considerable progress and we look forward to the advantages of being part of a wider Welsh schools group.”