One of the oldest schools in the UK, Ruthin School, will shut at the end of the academic year after more than 700 years
17:47, 01 Jul 2026Updated 18:26, 01 Jul 2026
Ruthin School is one of Britain’s oldest independent schools(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)
One of Wales’ most historic schools, and one of the oldest schools in the UK, has announced it will close at the end of this school year. Both staff and pupils at Ruthin School were informed about the imminent closure on Wednesday afternoon.
They were told the school would close at the end of the current academic year. Attempts have been made to contact the school for a comment, however the phone line is not connecting to the school office.
Ruthin School is one of Britain’s oldest independent schools. It was originally founded in 1284 and subsequently re-opened in 1574 by Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster.
In 1893, the school moved from its original position near the church to a building designed by John Douglas on the edge of the town, reports North Wales Live. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.
Rydal Penrhos School responded to the news, stating: “We are aware of the announced closure of Ruthin School. Our thoughts and sympathies are with every family affected. Our priority is to support those affected by the news.”
This announcement follows the recent closure of St Gerard’s School in Bangor, which was confirmed just weeks ago.
The school cited recent changes as rendering it no longer financially sustainable – including the introduction of VAT on school fees, the loss of charitable status, and an increase in national insurance contributions.
One of Wales’ biggest rugby schools, Llandovery College, is also facing serious financial pressures which have placed the school’s future under serious threat.
The 178-year-old school wrote to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, on June 4, requesting £1m in emergency funding.
In the letter, the chair of governors, Simon Woodhead, said the school was on the verge of closure due to recent changes in government policies.
Mr Woodhead said VAT on independent school fees, higher employer National Insurance contributions, increased National Living Wage costs, and the removal of business rates relief in Wales had made the school financially unsustainable.