Our Lady's Abingdon in Radley Road was forced to close permanently for financial reasons, according to its governors, who sent letters to parents in August alerting them to the news. County councillor Neil Fawcett, who represents Abingdon South and is also deputy leader of the council, said state school pupils could at some point use the school, although the site has not yet been sold. Accounts revealed there is an estimated shortfall of £2.7m to settle all Our Lady’s Abingdon debts. Founded in 1860 by the Sisters of Mercy, OLA was a small independent day school for pupils aged seven to 18. The business ownership and management of OLA was transferred to the newly formed Our Lady’s Abingdon Trustees Limited in 2007.