Dorset Council supporting families following Leweston School closure

Dorset Council is working urgently to support children, young people and families affected by the sudden closure of Leweston School near Sherborne.

The council became aware of the closure on Monday afternoon, at the same time as families, staff and the wider community. Since then, teams across the council have been working with schools, education partners and childcare providers to understand the impact and help families access support.

Leweston School announced that it will not reopen after the October half-term break, affecting pupils from nursery age through to sixth form.

The council understands that this news will be causing uncertainty and concern for children, parents, carers and staff and says that supporting families and helping minimise disruption to children's education is its immediate priority.

Families who need help finding a school place, or who have questions about education provision in Dorset, should contact Dorset Council's Admissions Team ([email protected]), which is ready to provide advice and support on the options available.

The council is also supporting families whose children attended Leweston's nursery and early years provision.

Dorset Council's Family Information Service is the first point of contact for families looking for childcare and early education options. The council's early years team has already been working with local nurseries and childcare providers to identify available places and support children who need alternative arrangements.

Families who need support with nursery or childcare arrangements should contact the Family Information Service ([email protected]).

Paul Dempsey, Dorset Council's Executive Director for Children's Services, said:

"We know this news has come as a significant shock for many children, young people, families and staff connected to Leweston School."

"Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected and helping families understand the options available to them. Teams across the council are working closely with schools, early years providers and other partners to help children continue their education and childcare arrangements with as little disruption as possible."

"We appreciate that parents and carers will have questions about school places, nursery provision and what happens next. We encourage anyone who needs support to get in touch with our teams, who are working hard to assist families during what is understandably a very difficult and uncertain time."

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.