UK school where Queen Elizabeth II first learnt to ride a horse set to close on July 10

A school located at the estate where the late Queen Elizabeth II first learned to ride horses is set to close for good. It has confirmed it will shut on Friday, July 10, blaming the Labour government's VAT on private school fees as one of the reasons.

As well as its strong royal associations, Pitsford School, in Northamptonshire, has become widely known for its stunning estate. It operates from Pitsford Hall, a Grade II-listed property that once belonged to George Drummond - a politician who served six terms as Lord Provost of Edinburgh and a founding director of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The school currently educates approximately 200 children between the ages of four and 18, with fees ranging from £3,360 to £5,835 per term.

As reported by GB News, Queen Elizabth II learned to ride a horse at the estate. She would regularly visit Pitsford Hall with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).

However, the school will shut in July with headmaster Dr Craig Walker explaining how the decision came after "exhausting every option" to keep it open. He said the school has suffered from "external economic pressures" stemming from government policy changes.

He explained: "The introduction of VAT on school fees, the removal of business rates relief, increases in the National Living Wage, higher interest rates, and wider economic uncertainty have all placed significant pressure on independent schools across the country."

The school reportedly explored potential partners and buyers in a bid to keep it open. However, despite a thorough examination of costs and potential restructuring solutions, it was confirmed the school would shut.

The timing of the decision has been criticised by some parents. One person said on the school's Facebook page that the news was "sad" and added that "telling people with three weeks' notice before the end of term, children are very upset."

Another put: "I cannot believe it 3 weeks before break up my son is a teacher there to be told yesterday is terrible. Sorry for other teachers etc who need to get a job ASAP to keep afloat."

Meanwhile, a third wrote: "More destruction from Labour and Rachel Reeves. To think that the incoming is even more of a socialist is pretty scary!"