A historic independent school has announced it is closing its doors, citing "sustained financial pressure". St Gerard's School in Bangor, north Wales, has described the decision to shut at the end of the current term as "incredibly difficult", with all members of staff facing redundancy.

The school, which was established in 1917, has pointed to a series of recent policy changes as contributing factors, including the introduction of VAT on school fees, the loss of charitable status, and increases to national insurance, reports WalesOnline.

In an official statement, the school said these pressures, combined with other mounting costs and "the ongoing challenge of maintaining pupil numbers mean that the school is unfortunately no longer viable". The announcement comes in the wake of the closure of the private St Clare's School in Porthcawl, south Wales, which has since been acquired by parents and is set to reopen under new leadership this September. Several other fee-paying schools across Wales have also raised concerns over mounting financial strain.

St Gerard's currently educates 107 pupils from reception through to Year 13 and employs 30 members of staff. The school has long-standing ties with military families stationed at the nearby RAF Valley base, where Prince William was stationed. The school will continue to operate as normal until the end of term on 3 July, with all public examinations proceeding as planned.

Trustees and management have confirmed they are working closely with affected families to help pupils secure suitable alternative placements for September. The majority of staff face redundancy at the end of term, with the school pledging to support those affected in securing new positions.

A spokesman for St Gerard's School Trust said: "This has been an incredibly difficult decision and one we have not taken lightly. "St Gerard's has been part of the Bangor community for well over a century and the school's caring ethos and strong values have shaped the lives of generations of pupils.

"Like many independent schools we have faced sustained financial pressures in recent years. Despite significant efforts to secure the school's future – including initiatives to strengthen pupil recruitment and exploring options for external investment – it has not been possible to achieve a viable way forward.

"Our focus now is on supporting our pupils and their families through this transition, ensuring examinations proceed as planned, and helping our dedicated staff find new opportunities. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of the St Gerard's community over the years."

One pupil described how she and her classmates were left "stunned" by the announcement. Freya Brown's mother Joanne spoke of their "massive relief" after securing a new school place for her daughter Freya, who is set to sit her A-levels next year.

Year 12 pupil Freya, from Anglesey, who is approaching her final year of sixth form, has now been offered a place at St David's College, a boarding and day school situated in Llandudno. Mum Joanne praised St David's College for the "reassuring support it's given the family through weeks of uncertainty and worry" surrounding the closure of St Gerard's.

Freya had only enrolled at St Gerard's in January, with her family expecting her to complete her A-levels in politics, English literature, and history at the school.

Joanne, who works with the NHS, said: "It is quite a pivotal moment for us as a family and the closure just set in a bit of a panic. It has been a difficult time, really challenging, and there has been a lot of uncertainty. It's been quite scary. Freya is in Year 12, the first year of her A-levels, so it is such a crucial time for her education. It was very disappointing to be told St Gerard's was closing. It is such a sad set of circumstances."

From September, St David's College will be taking on two members of staff from St Gerard's to help ease the transition for pupils transferring from the Bangor school.

Dr Trudie Tough will join as an English teacher and chaplain, while Matthew Owen will provide continuity for St Gerard's sixth formers studying A-level politics and history, including Freya.

Joanne added: "Freya will be able to continue with all her A-level subjects, which is great. It is just massive relief that we have something in place and that Freya is happy and confident about going into that final year, which we know is stressful enough."

St David's College headmaster Andrew Russell confirmed that as many as a dozen pupils from St Gerard's School could be making the move to his school, which will also be laying on a dedicated direct bus service from Holyhead.

He said: "We were all devastated to hear St Gerard's was closing because we have such a strong and long-lasting relationship with them. I used to take the football team to St Gerard's or St Gerard's would come here and I have known the headmaster Campbell Harrison for a long time.

"My wife Kate, who works here as a teacher, and I had a few sleepless nights just empathising deeply about the plight of the St Gerard's parents and students and teachers."

Mr Russell added that St David's College was a significant local employer, with 65 academic staff and approximately 40 ancillary staff on its books. He stated that St David's College was in a robust financial position.

He said: "What I always say to my parents is that we are completely transparent and open and that is reflected in our published accounts which show the strength of our finances. Our accounts have always been stable. For peace of mind I would encourage any parent considering a school to do their own due diligence. We have had 61 incredible years here and we want that to carry on forever and our financial viability ensures our future."