The boarding and day school in Kent has merged with the foundation following six months of discussions, undertaken to ensure there is “good fit” between both parties while completing an “extensive” program of legal, financial and facilities due diligence.

“This is a bringing together of like-minded schools”

“This is a bringing together of like-minded schools that further strengthens the excellent education provided,” said chair of Governors at Mill Hill Elliot Lipton.

His counterpart at Cobham Hall Martin Pennell added that the school is “delighted to be joining forces with Mill Hill and is confident of a strong future ahead”.

In 2015, the foundation successfully merged with The Mount School in London, as it pointed out that “a number of independent schools have been merging in recent years”.

“We have considered a number of schools as potential merger opportunities, but Cobham Hall stood out for a number of reasons: a similar ethos of education; the opportunity to grow it further; the high quality of the school; the relative proximity,” Mill Hill said.

“The addition of Cobham Hall allows the foundation to continue to increase pupil numbers but without adding further strain on existing facilities.”

The net assets of the Cobham Hall of around £4.5M will transfer to the foundation at zero cost, under the agreement. Any future surpluses or losses generated by Cobham Hall School – based in a Tudor mansion house and 150-acre grounds – will belong to the foundation.

The Mill Hill School Foundation currently has over 1,600 boarding and day students.