Expensive Auckland school to shut doors

Auckland's Hilltop school has announced it is closing after around half its hundred pupils pulled out - with many parents saying they can't now afford the ten thousand dollar annual fee.

Ross Scrymgeour is the President of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools. He says while he is not aware of any other private schools in danger of closing, enrolments are down at some.

Mr Scymgeour says some may need to make tough decisions to get through the next year or two. He says it is inevitable some will cut back on teachers, as staff salaries are their major expense.

Ross Scrymgeour says it is always difficult to cut jobs, as most independent school staff are like a family.

- NEWSTALK ZB