Douai School saved in Lim rescue plan

By HESS TWISTON DAVIES DOUAI SCHOOL in Berkshire has been saved from closure after nearly £1 Million was raised in less than two weeks to keep it open.
The independent Benedictine school announced two weeks ago that it would close at the end of the summer term because of falling numbers.
But last Friday, the school said it would remain open after an intensive two-week fundraising campaign gathered pledges of nearly £1 million from parents and former pupils. The monks of Douai have donated £650,000 to the upkeep of the school and have extended the lease on the school buildings for a further 99 years.
Douai will be principally governed by lay people for the first time, although the monks will be represented on the board of governors. Last September, Dr Peter McLaughlin became Doaui's first lay Headmaster.