ADMINISTRATORS have cited a fall in the number of pupils as a major cause of the folding of Malsis School, in Cross Hills.

The closure has seen nearly 50 staff lose their jobs at the independent, co-educational day and boarding school.

Charles King and Hunter Kelly, of EY’s Yorkshire Restructuring team, were appointed joint administrators of Malsis School Trust on December 11.

Malsis's 61 pupils and their parents were informed in early November that the school would permanently close at the end of the autumn term, the last day of which was December 10. 49 employees have been made redundant.

Mr King said: “A fall in pupil numbers combined with pressure on fees impacted Malsis School Trust’s cash flow, and the school could not continue to fund the resulting substantial losses.

“Despite efforts to secure a merger for Malsis School with another school, negotiations ended unsuccessfully in late October 2014, which left the trustees with no choice but to decide to close Malsis School in December 2014.

"The closure is a sad event for all associated with the school and the local community. Following our appointment, we will now begin the process of marketing the land and buildings, and realising the assets.”

Malsis School Trust had tried to avert the closure by merging with Giggleswick School, but the talks fell through.

In a bid to raise extra cash, the trust secured outline planning permission for 50 homes within the school grounds.

Giggleswick governors concluded that to revive Malsis, at least £1.5 million in extra cash was required on top of any money that might emerge from the proposed housing.