A leading independent school for boys has decided to get rid of its top two years due to declining demand for school places.

The Priory Preparatory School, in Bolters Lane, Banstead, which has around 200 pupils, has told parents that there will be a "phased closure" of Years 7 and 8 from September 2016.

In a letter dated February 4, chair of governors Ashley Head said : "For parents of pupils currently in Year 5 or below, your sons’ education at Priory Prep will end at the completion of Year 6.

"For many years, we have experienced declining demand for places on Years 7 and 8 with the majority of parents choosing to leave Priory Prep for senior schools at the age of eleven."

He said senior independent schools have now introduced entrance exams at the age of 11 and noted the "tremendous success" of their boys in gaining places at this age.

He added: "With the announcement last summer that both Epsom College and St Johns School are to take pupils from Year 7 commencing September 2016, there are now no senior schools within our immediate locality that admit exclusively at Year 9."

Not everyone is happy about this though.

David Bruce emailed the Epsom Guardian to say: "Over 90 years of tradition cast aside, motivated by profit rather than what is in the best interests of the pupils."

Mr Bruce said: "My son is currently a pupil at Priory and although he won't be affected by the change, I think the whole character of the school will change as result of  there no longer being Years 7 and 8 at the school. 

“Not all boys are ready to leave their preparatory school after Year 6 and really do benefit from spending an extra couple of years in a smaller school where they are given room to grow, mature and gain confidence in a familiar environment before embarking on their senior school education.”

The school, whose Latin motto means ‘one day we will look back on this and smile’, was established in 1921 and moved to its current location in 1936.

Are you a parent at the school? Please send your views to alice.foster@london.newsquest.co.uk