I HAVE been on the board of St Dominic's for almost 30 years. My current position is that of chairman to the board, which I have held since 1986.

Since the beginning, my loyalty and allegiance has always been to St Dominic's.

Throughout my 30 years of service to the school, I have never financially profited from my position or indeed received any salary or expense claims.

The only reward I have received is that of overseeing a successful and long-standing independent private junior school. The success of an on-going St Dominic's has been paramount in my quest.

My son attended the school throughout his early childhood and at present both of my grandchildren attend. I have always been greatly happy with the performance of our outstanding school.

Over recent months the numbers of pupils attending the school has drastically reduced.

There are many reasons for this. It is common knowledge that the current economic climate has squeezed the independent schools sector. The ever decreasing birth rate is also a fundamental factor.

We had previously been the forerunners with the presence of our school nursery introducing a strong intake of pupils into the older classes. But over recent years, other schools have introduced a similar system, offering more choice for parents in the area, increased competition and, consequently, a lower intake for St Dominic's.

Numbers have fallen further due to some parents withdrawing their pupils and placing them in alternative local schools.

In April 2009 alone, a further 24 pupils (one third of all attending pupils) left St Dominic's, taking positions at other local schools, including St Joseph's. This exodus took place after I had informed parents personally that the school was in a financial position to continue for at least a further 12 months with its then-current numbers.

To then lose a third of the school's capacity has been a devastating blow to the finances of the school.

Over recent days, it upsets me to say, I have been the victim of verbal attack from some parents.

As a parent and grandparent, I understand fully how upset and confused parents must be feeling, but I question whether such actions are justifiable.

Unfortunately, similar behaviour has also been directed by some pupils to my grandchildren within school time.

I, like any normal parent, find this completely unacceptable. Sadly, such action has actually led my son to take the decision to relocate his children to an alternative school.

Recently, certain parents have requested my resignation. I feel that to resign would be an acknowledgment that I have been a failure to the school.

I feel very strongly that this is by no means the case and I intend to fully support St Dominic's until we either find a way to save it or we are forced to close the school gates for the final time.

Under no circumstances have my personal actions led to the downfall of the school and I do not intend to resign.

Schools are like any other normal commercial enterprise. They have to be profitable to survive.

If they operate at a loss for an extended period, there comes a time when the inevitable commercial decision has to be made – the one of unfortunate closure.

Over recent months I, with the support of my board, have formulated the school's association with The Woodard Trust. Over the last week I have been in close communication with its senior representative to see whether it will consider a full integration of the school.

Discussions are ongoing and we sincerely hope that a positive outcome will follow but this is by no means certain. We have also been in close communication with St Joseph's regarding a possible integration of our two schools.

Unfortunately, negotiations with St Joseph's broke down due to certain issues, including the continuation of contractual obligations for present teachers of St Dominic's.

Over recent weeks, the board, along with its professional representatives, including its accountants Baker Tilly, has expressed its concern regarding intake numbers for the next academic year, starting in September 2009.

Currently, numbers are down and have not been helped by the additional withdrawal of pupils in higher classes.

Due to this fact I, along with the board, have little choice but to inform all parents, teachers and members of the public that it is possible that St Dominic's could be forced to close at the end of this calendar year unless numbers of pupils significantly increase.

Under such circumstances, the school would do its upmost to assist in the placement of any pupils to alternative schools and all teachers will receive full entitlement regarding redundancy payments.

I know this comes as a devastating blow to many individuals, although the school, like any other business, cannot afford to operate in an insolvent manner.

With such a heavy decrease in numbers, an insolvent school would be impossible to run and in nobody's interest, especially that of pupils, teachers and parents.

Without the full integration of our school in to The Woodard Trust, the closure of St Dominic's is unfortunately inevitable without further intake of pupils.

As I have previously promised, parents will be kept up to date regarding the progress concerning numbers and the ongoing communication with The Woodard Trust.

I appreciate you giving me the time to respond. Please understand that I am as concerned as anyone about the possible closure of our outstanding school. Our previous academic results speak for themselves.

ROBERT C BRITTLE

Chairman of the Directors

St Dominic's Independent Junior School