Ellesmere College has said that "significant sector-wide financial pressures" has led to several redundancies in its teaching staff.
The college responded to reports that it was facing making redundancies to staff due to lower student numbers.
Ellesmere College confirmed that 12 teachers – half of whom worked part-time – would be leaving at the end of the year due to "financial pressures" caused by the introduction of VAT on fees.
A spokesperson for the college said: "Like many independent schools, we are navigating significant sector-wide financial pressures — including the introduction of VAT on fees and rising employment costs.
"In response, we have undertaken a careful and considered strategic staffing review as part of our responsible long-term planning.
"As a result of this review, 12 members of teaching staff will leave at the end of the academic year.
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"Of these, seven are compulsory redundancies; the remainder are departing for new roles, consistent with normal patterns of staff movement across the sector.
"Six of the 12 are part-time positions.
"We wish to be clear that reports of further job losses are inaccurate."
The college has said that it is hopeful that pupil numbers should rise due to new programmes being launched at the college including the new Paris Saint-Germain Football Academy.
The spokesperson added: "We are genuinely encouraged by our pupil numbers, which are stabilising and growing in key areas.
"Year 12 enrolment for September is expected to exceed 90 pupils — a significant increase — and our admissions pipeline remains strong.
"The launch of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Academy at Ellesmere from September 2026 is already attracting interest from prospective families worldwide.
"Our absolute priority remains the delivery of an excellent education, and we are making no compromise to the quality of provision we offer.
"We are confident in the strength of our staff, our relationship with the Woodard Corporation, and the long-term future of the College.
"In recognition of the financial pressures facing families, we have also held our current fee structure."
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