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| Howell's School at Denbigh closes it doors | Howell's School at Denbigh closes it doors |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A private girls' school in north Wales says it is shutting down because of uncertainty about its finances. | A private girls' school in north Wales says it is shutting down because of uncertainty about its finances. |
| Howell's School in Denbigh has been in operation for over 150 years. | Howell's School in Denbigh has been in operation for over 150 years. |
| But in an email sent to parents on Friday, trustees said uncertainty about compensation arising from the dismissal of a former head teacher posed a risk of closure part way through the year. | But in an email sent to parents on Friday, trustees said uncertainty about compensation arising from the dismissal of a former head teacher posed a risk of closure part way through the year. |
| Steven Griffiths, vice-chairman of the parent teacher association, told BBC Wales he was "surprised" and "upset". | |
| The letter from the trustees refers to the uncertainty surrounding the financial settlement arising from an industrial tribunal ruling against the school in March. | The letter from the trustees refers to the uncertainty surrounding the financial settlement arising from an industrial tribunal ruling against the school in March. |
| The tribunal found that former head teacher Bernie Routledge and his partner Helen Price had been sacked without reason. | The tribunal found that former head teacher Bernie Routledge and his partner Helen Price had been sacked without reason. |
| It had been claimed that Mr Routledge behaved inappropriately in conduct with pupils over the social network Facebook. | |
| But the tribunal dismissed all the allegations against him and Ms Price, who was head of PE and pastoral care. | |
| A compensation figure has yet to be agreed. | A compensation figure has yet to be agreed. |
| 'Material uncertainty' | |
| An independent auditor's report on the school finances, lodged with Companies House for the period to the end of August 2012, outlined some concerns. | |
| "The company made a loss during the year of £162,733 and the liabilities continue to exceed assets," the report said. | |
| "There is also the potential outstanding liability with regards to the employment tribunal. | |
| "These factors indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and therefore it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business." | |
| The accounts for the school, which employs 58 staff, showed it had debts of £481,135 at the end of August 2012. | |
| However, auditors stated in their report that bank borrowings and overdrafts amounting to some £237,000 were paid off in February this year. | |
| Howell's School is registered as a charitable company, with Nicola Locke and husband Robbie named as the directors. | |
| Originally called Howell's 2000 Ltd, the school's company name was officially changed to H2000 Ltd in January this year. | |
| The school and its trustees have been unavailable for comment. |