ONE of south Essex's oldest private schools will close its doors for the final time this summer because of falling pupil numbers.

The family-run Crowstone Preparatory School, in Crowstone Road, Westcliff, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, has told parents it will not reopen in September after the holidays.

Headteacher John Thayer said the school, which currently has just 36 pupils aged between two and 11, on its books, has become "unviable."

He said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of our school.

“We have seen over 3,000 pupils pass through our doors, all of whom have gone on to do great things and are a credit to their parents, their teachers and the school.”

Mr Thayer, 73, has been at the school for 36 years with wife Susan, 69, who carries out administration and son Simon, 43, who is now the bursar.

Pupil numbers have fallen despite Crowstone being named in the top 100 private schools in the country for two years in a row.

He said: “We have given parents notice that we would fulfil our obligations to them until July.

“It’s been on the cards for a little while. We have tried various solutions but it’s just not possible to compete with the big boys down the road.

“Parents are looking at the investment and the facilities.

“Our facilities are excellent but we have tried to make our approach to say we are a small school and we can deal with individual needs.”

The closure will mean retirement for Mr Thayer and a big change for his family as they currently live on the premises and will have to move.

He said: “On a personal note, I have been teaching for 50 years but teaching has changed.

“It’s check sheets and tick boxes. I have never been very good at the paperwork.

“We have tried to give Crowstone pupils a more personal experience and we have always been complemented on our family atmosphere.

“We have had parents here this morning in tears. We do a good job and parents appreciate that.

“It’s a shame. But if the school isn’t viable then we can’t carry on.”

Mr Thayer said he put recruitment problems down to the success of state-run schools and the growth of academies.

He added “We have done all we can to increase numbers and we have had some success but not at the pace that we had hoped for.

“In the 1980s and 1990s private education was a very popular idea particularly because the state schools were considered to be below standard.

“But that isn’t the case anymore. State schools offer good opportunities and have had massive investment.”

The school will close on Wednesday, July 6.

The announcement comes just five months after Echo reported the school had failed to meet required standards for a second year.

Ofsted inspectors found Crowstone School didn’t meet standards in welfare, health and safety of pupils, school premises and complaint handling.

The school was ordered to take action to improve.