La Sagesse private school forced to shut down

Mar 27 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

ONE of the North East’s leading private schools will close this summer after the group of nuns who founded it tripled the rent, The Journal can reveal.

The decision to shut the La Sagesse school in Jesmond, Newcastle will leave 200 pupils looking for new schools and 54 members of staff out of work.

The £3,000-a-term school has been based on the site since 1912, six years after it was founded by a Catholic order named the Sisters of La Sagesse, or the Daughters of Wisdom.

But the past two years have seen the sisters leave Newcastle and what the school described as their “formal business arrangement” has seen the nuns ask for treble the rent.

At the same time the school’s pupil numbers have halved since the nearby Royal Grammar School opened its doors to girls in 2002.

Last night the future of the Victorian Gothic mansion and its 10-acre site overlooking Jesmond Dene was not clear. Staff said they were concentrating on supporting pupils and staff until it closes on August 31.

The closure will affect the school’s 180 girls and 20 boys, their 30 teachers and 14 support staff.

Last night Prof Kathleen McCourt, chair of governors said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we have had to make the decision to close La Sagesse.

“Over the last 18 months the relationship we have with our founding order, The Daughters of Wisdom, has become that of a formal business arrangement.

“Following the departure of the sisters from Jesmond the order have recently confirmed that our rent will more than treble and that coupled with the competition for independent school places in Newcastle, makes it impossible for us to keep the school open.”

La Sagesse was founded at Low Fell, Gateshead, in 1906. It moved to its present site in 1912, which includes Jesmond Towers, the former home of shipbuilder Charles Mitchell. Former pupils include actress Denise Welch.

Last night Prof McCourt added: “We acknowledge the closure will come as a huge shock to those involved with the school and our concern now is the wellbeing and support of pupils and staff through this difficult time.

“We took the decision to announce the closure early so that our staff have more time to seek alternative employment. The school has a record of high academic achievement and outstanding pastoral care which we are confident makes our staff highly employable. We will be working with parents to identify an alternative independent school which provides the best fit for their children.”