A North Wales mum has described her “massive relief” after securing a new school place for her daughter whose A-level studies were thrown into uncertainty following the sudden closure of a private school.

Freya Brown, 17, was one of 107 pupils left shocked when St Gerard’s School in Bangor announced it would close at the end of the academic year, leaving families scrambling to find alternative education provision just weeks into exam season.

The Anglesey teenager, who had only joined the independent school in January, suddenly faced weeks of uncertainty over where she would complete her A-levels in politics, English literature and history.

With exams already under way, the timing left little room for reflection.

Freya said the news initially came as a shock.

“I was a bit shocked because it just came out of nowhere, it was very unexpected,” she said.

“But my group didn’t have much time to think about it because we had an AS exam the next day, so we just had to park it for a bit. After the exam we were all crying together.”

Her mum, Joanne, who works in the NHS, said the announcement sparked immediate anxiety about her daughter’s future.

“It is quite a pivotal moment for us as a family and the closure just set in a bit of a panic,” she said. “It has been a difficult time, really challenging and there has been a lot of uncertainty. It’s been quite scary.

“It was very disappointing to be told St Gerard’s was closing, it is such a sad set of circumstances.”

Now, however, Freya has secured a place at St David’s College in Llandudno, a move her family says has restored stability ahead of a crucial final year of A-level study.

Joanne said the support from the school had been reassuring throughout a difficult period.

“Freya will be able to continue with all her A-level subjects, which is great,” she said.

“It is just massive relief that we have something in place and that Freya is happy and confident about going into that final year, which we know is stressful enough.

“We are absolutely confident now that her education is in safe hands.”

She added that St David’s College had gone out of its way to support incoming students from St Gerard’s, including plans for specialist staffing continuity in key subjects.

Freya is among up to a dozen former St Gerard’s pupils expected to transfer to the Llandudno school, which will also introduce a dedicated bus service from Holyhead to support families affected by the closure.

St Gerard’s School, founded in 1917, said rising costs—including VAT on fees, the loss of charitable status, and increased National Insurance contributions—had left the school no longer financially viable.

Looking ahead, Freya said she is now focused on the future after an emotionally difficult few weeks.

“I’m very happy that we have got it all sorted now for me to go to St David’s,” she said.

“Everybody was so lovely when I went on a taster day. They have been a really great help.

“It is definitely such a huge relief to know where I will be in September.”

St David’s College headmaster Andrew Russell said the school was saddened by the closure of St Gerard’s, with which it had longstanding links.

“We were all devastated to hear St Gerard’s was closing,” he said. “We have known the headmaster for a long time and have a strong relationship.”

He said up to a dozen students were expected to transfer, and confirmed the school’s strong staffing and financial position, alongside long-term planning to ensure stability.

St David’s bursar Nicola McDonald added that while the independent sector faces ongoing pressures, the school remains in a secure position due to careful financial management and strategic planning.