Millionaire businessman saves private school

MULTI-millionaire Yorkshire businessman Paul Sykes has stepped in to save Belmont Grosvenor School from an uncertain future.
The 232-pupil, co-educational day school has been running into difficulties caused by “financial commitments exacerbated by the recent credit crunch,” according to a press release it issued this week.

But Mr Sykes, who already gives financial support to a small number of rural schools in Yorkshire, has now agreed a rescue package for the institution, based at Swarcliffe Hall in Birstwith.

It means he will own the Belmont Grosvenor property but the day-to-day management of the school will remain the same, while the school will ultimately have the option to buy back the property when future funds permit.

Mr Sykes, who lives near Ripon, said: “I am investing in the most important manufacturing unit in Yorkshire and that is the production of well educated and well balanced children.”

“What I am doing is securing its future. There have been rumours about the school closing for a while, which has led to pupil numbers declining.

“The school is not closing, we are all giving it a new start and a new future.
“We are now looking ahead and intend to enhance the school’s attraction to both present and prospective parents.”

The school, which marked its centenary this year, says the investment is a positive step. Among plans for the cash are improvements to science laboratories and the school’s ICT suite, swimming pooland on-site nursery.

Fran Trowell, chair of the Belmont Grosvenor Board of Governors, said she was delighted Mr Sykes had seen the potential of the school and was excited about its future.

“I am confident that Mr Sykes’ experience and financial commitment to the school will enable us to continue to offer the very highest level of education to our children to enable them to achieve their full potential in all aspects of school life,” she said.
“It is an outstanding school and, with Mr Sykes’ support, it will become even more so,” she said.

Jane Merriman, head teacher at Belmont Grosvenor said: “I am looking forward to leading Belmont Grosvenor into its new centenary, and building on its many successes.”

Belmont Grosvenor is holding an open morning on April 23 for potential pupils and parents, for more information contact 01423 771029 or visit www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk