A HISTORIC private school and nursery is set to be sold.

Holmwood House Preparatory School, based in Lexden and its nursery in Great Horkesley, are to be taken over by Bellevue Education.

The company already owns 12 independently-run schools across the UK and an international boarding school in Switzerland.

The school’s owner, PFC Education LLP, has confirmed to parents and staff it is in negotiations to sell the school as a going concern.

A spokeswoman said: “The sale is not based on the school’s educational performance but on the current owner’s review of its investment portfolio and consequent decision to leave the education sector.

“Heads of terms have been agreed and the deal is now subject to confirmatory legal due diligence. It is the aim of both parties to provide parents and staff with a substantive and conclusive update prior to the Easter holidays.

“Under the terms of the proposed sale, staff jobs will be protected.”

The school and nursery employ 118 staff.

Headteacher Alexander Mitchell added: “I am excited about the prospect of Bellevue taking ownership of the school.

“Holmwood House is a strong and successful school with a huge amount of which to be proud and I look forward to working with new proprietors. The school has changed ownership several times in its 96-year history and I relish the opportunity to oversee its next chapter.”

Mr Mitchell informed parents in the school’s newsletter.

He wrote: “I have received much positive feedback.

“I am now looking forward to the contracts being completed and transfer of ownership taking place which will allow us to start the process of preparing the school for the next exciting steps in our history.”

The independent school, which also offers boarding accommodation, was founded in 1922 by Frances and Ernest Duggan.

Today the school caters for more than 400 girls and boys aged from four to 13.

Daytime fees range from £3,265 to 5,765.

The nursery, opened in 2007, takes babies from six months and is based in Coach Road, Great Horkesley.

In the latest inspection report, the school and nursery were rated outstanding.

In 1952 their son Stuart became a partner with his mother, an experienced and highly-respected teacher, who had run the school alone since her husband’s death in 1940.

Mr Duggan’s appointment as joint head meant the school could be re-admitted to the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS), which had barred women from membership.

In 1968 he brought in former pupil, Jeremy Lucas, to form the partnership which was to run the school for the next two decades.

Together they expanded the school from about 70 boys to more than 350 boys and girls aged from four and a half upwards.

In 1985 the school opened its door to girls.