An independent Catholic day school has announced it will be closing for good at the end of the summer.

St Joseph’s Convent Preparatory School in Old Road East, Gravesend informed parents and staff of the decision yesterday.

The plans will see the private school, which serves pupils aged three to 11, remain open until the last day of the summer term.

In a statement posted to its website the school said this move would allow parents as much time as possible to find new places.

A formal consultation process with staff and their representatives will now begin, it confirmed.

Greg Thompson, chair of governors for St Joseph's, said: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have announced the proposal to close the school.

"This proposal has not been taken lightly and is no reflection of the excellent work and dedication of staff."

"We have explored many possible alternatives but unfortunately with no success"

On the reason for the school's closure, the governor went on to explain that it required "long term investment" to secure its future.

"We have explored many possible alternatives but unfortunately with no success," he said.

“We have a strong school community at St Joseph’s, and we know this will be an extremely difficult time for everyone with links to the school.

"We will do everything we can to support them over the coming months.”

St Joseph’s charges £2,860 a term and was recently named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Independent Preparatory Schools for 2019.

It received a 'Good' Ofsted rating in both its most recent inspection in 2018 and subsequent RE inspection in early 2020.

Among the school's alumni is Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter Lucy Teixeria who, according to her Linkedin page, attended the school between 1972 and 1979, before leaving for nearby Gads Hill in Higham.

If the proposal to close goes ahead, the school will be shut on August 31.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend