A school which was forced to close following a series of serious allegations over student safeguarding could still reopen.
Rudolf Steiner School Kings Langley (RSSKL) shut in 2019 after a long-running saga, which saw allegations of bullying, drug-taking on school grounds, and threats made against whistle-blowers.
But the organisation RSSKL Ltd still exists - and the Watford Observer has seen documents showing that it still hopes to open a new school on the site.
RSSKL Ltd's most recent annual report says: "The trustees remain committed to facilitating the establishment of a Steiner Waldorf School on the RSSKL site at the earliest opportunity...
"The trustees' vision and strategy for achieving this has been articulated, presented to the Association membership and is in the process of being executed by the trustees."
RSSKL was run from grounds in Langley Hill for 70 years, after being formed in 1949.
As a Steiner school it took students from age three to 19, and at the time of its closure charged up to £9,857-a-year in fees.
However, it first hit trouble in December 2016, after Ofsted inspectors reported that the school had serious problems with safeguarding of students.
Pupils at Rudolf Steiner School Kings Langley 'not safe'
Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley fails Ofsted safeguarding inspection
Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley to close
Ofsted made multiple visits over the next seven months, until in July 2017 when the Department for Education (DfE) issued the school with an order of de-registration. Although RSSKL appealed, the school finally closed on March 29, 2019.
The annual report describes "historic liabilities" as the biggest challenge to reopening a school on the site - in particular a £1.83 million pension fund deficit.
But RSSKL Ltd has taken a three-year 360,000 Euro loan with a view to selling off the Grade II listed Old Priory building and the building known as 'the Cottage'. Both buildings were formerly used as accommodation for teaching staff.
In the same document RSSKL Ltd's independent auditor, Knill James LLP, cast doubt on the charity's future.
Get discounts at M&S and Sainbury's by signing up to a digital subscription
It wrote: "The Council Members have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, however the Council members are aware of certain material uncertainties which may cast doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern."
The auditor adds that the various properties would then be sold off so that a successor charity would "enable the school to operate as intended".
RSSKL Ltd could not be reached for comment.
Get more great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to a Watford Observer newsletter. Don’t miss out!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here