School in Meath to close permanently due to the current coronavirus crisis

The school will not reopen.

Two weeks ago schools across Ireland closed in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. Originally, schools were to reopen next week but that has now been postponed to mid April. Unfortunately, not all schools will reopen in April as the current pandemic has resulted in the permanent closure of Headfort School in Kells. According to the Meath Chronicle the boarding school that was founded in 1949 has had no choice but to go into liquidation due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A letter written by chairman, Anthony Ardee, and board members, Alice Nugent, Anthony Rogers, and Aoife Chamberlayne was released to staff explaining the difficult decision that had to be made;

"It is with great sadness and regret that we write to inform you that Headfort School will close its doors and enter voluntary liquidation. This difficult decision follows a review of the implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic on revenues for the remainder of the 2019/2020 academic year as well as the outlook for 2020/2021."

The school was already facing finiancial difficulties but the knocking blow of having to close temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back, leading to the schools permanent closure;

"...in recent times it has been a challenge to continue to provide the unique experience while seeking to maintain the costs at a consistent level for parents. The financial challenge presented by COVID-19 has made that challenge even more difficult. The continued uncertainty surrounding the timing of the school’s reopening has disastrous implications for both local and overseas students and the revenues that they provide."

The Headfort School was also a day school for non-boarders in the local community so it will no doubt be a difficult time for parents and students at the school who will now have to find a new school once the government closure is lifted.