Closure-hit private school makes plea for parents not to remove pupils as probe carried out into accounts
Fernhill was previously saved by parent power but this time it may be too late after its financial troubles were revealed
A closure-hit private school has appealed to parents not to remove pupils after it emerged trustees had breached their financial duties.
Fernhill School has not submitted annual financial accounts to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) since the year ending July 2022, instead filing unaudited accounts for a dormant firm.
The school, which has been a registered charity since 1975, has now announced it will close at the end of the academic year.
Filings with Companies House show Bell Barr & Co, the auditors of the corporate entity behind the school, resigned in October last year after they were “unable to obtain an explanation” from the board of directors as to why the unaudited dormant company accounts were being submitted.
It is the second time Fernhill has been under threat of closure - in 2014 parents raised the funds needed to keep it open.
Now, however, those close to the school say there is less appetite to launch a rescue mission. Nearby schools have already made overtures to parents looking for alternative places for their children.
On social media, the South Lanarkshire school issued a call to parents to keep their children at Fernhill until the end of the academic year.
The post made no reference to financial troubles, or the fact unaudited dormant company accounts for 2023 and 2024 have been lodged at Companies House. Instead, the statement asked parents to “remain true” to the school.
It said: “Whilst change is happening on the outside, care and compassion remain within.
“Please be assured that the quality of education and the care and consistency your children will continue to experience every day until the end of the academic year will remain unchanged.
“We will move through the coming months with confidence, continuing to operate in the way that makes our school unique and exceptional.”
The statement added: “We ask our parents to remain true to what brought you to Fernhill school and stay with us until the end of this session.
“We remain focused, caring, and child-centred and this is how we will finish this journey.”
OSCR said the Catholic school had not responded to previous correspondence seeking an explanation of its financial position.
OSCR’s report states: “It appears that the charity trustees are in breach of their duties under section 66 of the 2005 Act to act in the interests of the charity and, as a result, there has been misconduct in the administration of the charity.”
Nearby Hamilton College opened its doors on Saturday for Fernhill parents who “would find it helpful to talk”.
The school posted: “We recognise the uncertainty this may bring, and would like to offer a compassionate ear and our support to families and children navigating this change.”
Founded in 1953 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Fernhill educates both boys and girls aged three to 18, charging more than £20,000 per year for seniors.
Its most recent HMI Inspection, in 2024, earned the school “very good” ratings across all four capacities. The OSCR said the charity had been directed by law to provide the account information.
Monica Lennon MSP called the closure a “huge shock for pupils, families and staff”.
She said: “My immediate thoughts are with the 250 pupils who now face an uncertain few months, their parents who are understandably worried about their children’s transition, and the teaching and support staff whose livelihoods are at risk.
“For any child, a school or nursery is more than just a building. To have that disrupted so suddenly is incredibly stressful for everyone involved.”
Ms Lennon said that, while she is a vocal backer of the state school system, “every child in our community deserves stability and a high-quality education, regardless of where they are currently enrolled”.
She added: “The focus now must be on providing clarity for parents on the transition to new schools, supporting staff through what is a very difficult time and ensuring the welfare of the pupils is at the heart of every decision.”
Michael Shanks, the Labour MP for Rutherglen, said he was “sad” to hear the school was closing, and offered to help anyone impacted.
“Obviously this will be a worrying time for students and staff alike, but I understand plans are in place to support the transition to new schools when the time comes and I know the staff will do their utmost to reduce any disruption to learning,” he said.
“There is lots of speculation going around but at the heart of this is the education of 250 young people which is everyone’s priority and I know all those involved will work together to make the next few months as smooth as possible.”
Fernhill’s website lists three directors of its board, but one of them, Stephen Marsh, resigned in May 2024, according to Companies House records. The other directors, Giuseppe Marini, 55, and David Equi, 61, are listed as having “significant influence or control” over Fernhill School Ltd.
Mr Marini, a former managing director of Tony Macaroni, and Mr Equi, whose family established a successful eponymous ice cream firm, are well known in the Scottish restaurant trade. Both men helped to form a consortium in the early 2000s to save Nardini’s, the nationally renowned ice cream parlour in the North Ayrshire town of Largs. However, Mr Equi later stepped back from the business.
Mr Marini, also known as Sep, is a director of five other companies: Nardini Group Ltd, which runs the Largs eatery; property firms, Marini Holdings Ltd and Latte Investments Ltd; holding company, T2G Group Ltd; and Vita Italia Ltd. He is also a former director of 26 other firms, all of which have been dissolved.
Mr Equi, meanwhile, is also a director of Hamilton-based Equi’s Restaurants, as well as the membership association, Ice Cream Alliance.
Fernhill School has been contacted for comment.
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