Closed UK private school sells off minibuses and equipment

Our Lady’s Abingdon, in Radley Road, was forced to close permanently for financial reasons, according to its governors, who sent letters to parents in August alerting them to the news.

The Statement of Affairs submitted to Companies House revealed Our Lady’s Abingdon Trustees Ltd racked up debts of £1,555,596 owed to 121 company creditors.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire private school to be sold this summer

Security measures were put in place to protect the buildings and there was uncertainty about what would happen to the buildings in the long-term, and its facilities, including a swimming pool, and surrounding playing fields.

Now it is understood the buildings are expected to be sold this summer by the owners, the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy.

At the end of last year, a team of liquidators hired auctioneers Wyles Hardy to sell school equipment including the school’s fleet of minibuses.

Our Lady’s Abingdon (Image: Contributed)

The Hemel Hempstead firm, machinery and business asset valuers and auctioneers, staged the Our Lady’s Abingdon auction in November last year, and last month provided an update on the sale, although it did not reveal how much the auction raised.

A statement from Wyles Hardy said: “Following sustained financial pressures and the recent introduction of VAT on school fees pupil numbers declined significantly, leading to the school’s closure in August 2025.

“Acting on behalf of the appointed insolvency practitioners we delivered specialist valuation, marketing and asset disposal services as part of the process.

“Our instruction covered a broad and diverse asset base across multiple departments, including design and technology, domestic science and music, as well as plant and machinery, grounds care equipment and the school’s fleet of minibuses.”

Our Lady’s Abingdon (Image: Contributed)

A spokesperson for the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy said in March: “Over the last six months, following the handover of the site from the liquidator, we have been working diligently to both clear and secure the Our Lady’s Abingdon site, as well as reflect on how best the site can be used moving forward.

“Meetings are ongoing about the site’s future, taking into account our obligations as a charity, and we are hopeful to be in a position to share more information in the early part of the summer.”  

Our Lady’s Abingdon (Image: Our Lady’s Abingdon)

Following the closure announcement, schools across the county rallied to find places for more than 300 pupils.

In November, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran wrote to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, urging the Department for Education to do more to protect families affected by sudden school closures.

Ms Moran said at the time: “Going forwards, there must be earlier dialogue between the local authorities and schools to ensure that pupils and parents’ interests are the number one priority.”