A peaceful community and family-friendly protest at St Lawrence College tomorrow (February 27) is aimed at “protecting the future of a thriving school community and safeguarding the exceptional facilities that have supported not only generations of pupils but many local groups,” say organisers.
It is being held following news this week that St Lawrence College will shut its Ramsgate site in July and move to Dover College as part of a merger.
The co-educational day and boarding school for youngsters aged three to 18 has been a fixture in Thanet since 1879.
A letter to parents said the decision had been taken to merge the two schools on the Dover College site ”to form a single, vibrant HMC school: ‘St Lawrence Dover College’.”
The merged school will be under the umbrella of the Repton Family of Schools.
The Save St Lawrence College group, made up of parents, staff, young people and community members, says the school community has been ‘rocked’ by the announcement which, in Ramsgate, affects some 500 students and more than 200 staff.
They add that for many within the St Lawrence community, the tone of the announcement stood in stark contrast to the devastation felt by pupils, staff and Old Lawrentians.
Students across primary, secondary and sixth form stages have already passed key application deadlines for alternative schools, leaving families facing immediate uncertainty about their options. Many believe the timing of the announcement, and the absence of prior consultation, failed to reflect the seriousness of the impact on those most affected.
The Save St Lawrence College group says communications with management have also suggested that they do not expect the majority of the students to transfer to the Dover site, adding: “For some parents and alumni, this has reinforced the perception that the decision fundamentally represents the closure of St Lawrence College in Ramsgate, rather than a true merger of two equally supported schools.
“The strength of feeling among students, staff, parents, alumni and the wider local community has been profound.”
They say the demonstration tomorrow is to highlight several concerns about the “short-sighted” merger and the move to Dover.
They said: “At the heart of the protest lies a central concern: that Dover College does not have the physical capacity to comfortably accommodate both student bodies.
“Parents and staff have raised serious questions about space, infrastructure and long-term provision, arguing that St Lawrence’s existing campus, which has benefited from significant recent investment, offers demonstrably superior facilities and room to grow.”
One parent said: “This is about safeguarding our children’s education and preserving a school that is part of Ramsgate’s historic identity. “
“We are coming together not out of anger, but out of love for our school, our town, and the opportunities we believe St Lawrence College can continue to provide — not just for its students, but for the many local groups who rely on its sports facilities, theatre spaces and community resources.”
Organisers emphasise that Friday’s protest will be peaceful and family-friendly. The announcement, via email on Tuesday morning with no prior consultation, has left many parents questioning how such a significant decision was reached and why the wider school body was not engaged beforehand.
There is also growing concern about the broader impact on Thanet. With local schools and services already under significant pressure, families fear the closure of a large junior and senior school could place additional strain on neighbouring schools.
The group says staff members were informed shortly before the start of the school day that they would need to reapply for positions at Dover College, adding to anxiety across the workforce.
‘Utterly blindsided’
One teacher at the school said: “We were utterly blindsided. One moment we were planning lessons and preparing for the term ahead; the next, we were told of a decision that will permanently alter the educational landscape in Thanet.
“Our first thought was for the children — the pupils we have nurtured, supported and watched grow. They have built deep friendships and a strong sense of belonging here. To see that stability ripped away through no fault of their own is devastating.
“The shock was overwhelming, yet we were expected to carry on teaching as though nothing had happened, while trying to reassure frightened students without having been given clear answers ourselves.
“There was no meaningful warning, no proper consultation, and almost no explanation. It has left staff and families feeling disregarded at the very moment they needed leadership and clarity most.”
The group is calling for greater transparency around the merger proposal and for decision-makers to carefully consider the long-term educational and community consequences.
The protest takes place from 3:30pm outside St Lawrence College.
Students have already held one demonstration which took place on school grounds yesterday (February 25).
Open meeting
An open meeting for the SLC community, including parents, staff, current or former students and anyone from community groups who uses the facilities, has also been arranged for March 3 at 6.30pm.
The owners of the Granville Theatre have offered the use of the venue in Ramsgate to host the meeting.
People are asked to arrive any time from 6pm onwards. The bar will be open.
The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss what is known so far, provide a structure for what is currently proposed and how to deal with the meeting with the Headteacher on Thursday next week.
Development proceeds
A fact sheet for parents reveals the St Lawrence College site has been earmarked for development.
It says: “Future proceeds from the development of St Lawrence College will be invested in the facilities and wider infrastructure of St Lawrence Dover College, which will set it apart from other independent schools both locally and across the South East.”
Development of 166 houses was previously approved on part of the former school grounds off College Road in 2017.
A petition has also been raised and so far has gained 1441 signatures. Find it at https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-demolition-of-st-lawrence-college-in-ramsgate
Ramsgate’s St Lawrence College to merge with – and move to – Dover College by September
Protests over planned closure of St Lawrence College Ramsgate site as part of merger with Dover College
Absolutely nothing about the SLC argument in support of this egregiously bad plan holds water. Appalling contempt towards staff, parents and pupils is plainly evident in a complete lack of consultation with those who really matter. SLC are clearly the main cog in this bigger educational wheel yet, astonishingly, they are the school which is ending decades of excellent work here in Ramsgate and leaving behind a superb campus with quality facilities benefitting the wider community to move to a site that simply does not compare in so many ways. What is going on? Are we being told the whole story? As things stand, the project defies all logic.
What will be left in thanet . Absolutley nothing . Its finished . It will become the poverty area of Britain .( was Britain ) .more Cheap built houses heading for the collage grounds. More unwanted city people moved to the area no jobs for anyone .nothing to do or go .run down empty towns ..The History of our towns has gone . By 2030 the airport will be a houseing estate .so so sad shame to all envolved well done .
But we’ll be a City of Sanctuary ?
I think its simple
SLC its building and land is worth more on the market then DC.
DC site is alot smaller and can’t really be developed into housing.
It’s that simple
Still complete silence from our MP Polly Billington.
Maybe a bit of guilt that the VAT charges and ending of Business Rates relief that Labour introduced has contributed to the closure ?
She is too scared to make any comment because she would be tying herself up in knots. Our MP should, of course, be getting involved in such a contentious issue but that would mean disowning her well-documented support for Liebour’s class war attitude towards private education. Party first, constituency second!
The hatchetman Headteacher and the great managing corporates will sleep well , business is business – they quite simply don’t care – “looking forward to vibrant blah “ etc , etc . (Or my career )No duty of care to staff or pupils – mere commodities I’m afraid .Would love that any protest will reverse this appallingly executed corporate cancer .
No customer audience with this great leader of a Headmaster says it all . No communication- just hiding behind a statement. Sadly as with any independent/ corporate business its – buyer beware – they can and do what they want .
Absolute loss for staff, pupils ,Ramsgate community and all clubs that use facilities.
The closing down of the site is excellent news. We can now house lots of boat refugees who are escaping war torn France. The behaviour of those students is a thorn in the eyes of our local youth on benefits and cannabis.
Removing these students to Dover will also open the possibility to use their lab for producing meth and crack. Local produce is important as it has a low carbon impact.
SLC developed so fast in the last 15 years growing like Topsy.Far city from the modest but stable school it was .
However it ovreached, spending millions but not thinking about the bad times and as a result went bust through poor planning and government policy cash grab.
I suppose those stearing this course will be paid off nicely.
The Thanet area has lost the University campus from Broadstairs and now an independent school. The area is lovely, but only the FE college in Broadstairs seems destined to remain, for now.
The school building, grounds & facilities are the envy of the impoverished state sector. However, those who were responsible for the management of the school, old men of limited vision, are responsible for its demise. If more practical, sensible women had been part of its management team, it may not have come to this.
Another problem has been its antiquated thinking, promoting the idea that God is male! An Anglican school active in undermining female pupils & staff as 2nd class! The former Archbishop of Canterbury admitted that God (if s/he exists) is asexual, neither male nor female! But no, the patriarchy held sway at St Lawrence College!
They also employed a vicar who condemned homosexuals as perverts provoking costly legal action by parents of gay pupils! In many ways the travails of SLC have been brought on itself as a result of being managed by out of touch old men & religious bigots!