The move has resulted in the Kingswood brand closing seven of its residential centres, with three acquired by PGL Beyond.
Kingswood has been popular with school groups that want to fly down its zip wires, climb high ropes and take part in bushcraft and orienteering.
A typical Kingswood day or residential trip would be based around character development, to help equip a child with the tools needed to develop adaptability skills for real life scenarios. It would offer tailored options and link activities back to the curriculum across its 11 centres including sites in North Devon and Staffordshire.
A statement on the Kingswood website said: “Three centres have been acquired by PGL, which is committed to ensuring all trips go ahead as planned. They have also worked with our administrators to provide a package of support to groups where centres are closing, by offering alternative arrangements at PGL centres, with no financial impact to parents.”
PGL Beyond response
On its LinkedIn page, PGL Beyond said: “Following the news that the Inspiring Learning Group has entered into administration, we can confirm that PGL Beyond has acquired three Kingswood centres (part of the Inspiring Learning Group) and has pledged to support customers and colleagues impacted by the closure of seven other Kingswood centres.
“We will take immediate ownership of the three sites we are acquiring - Grosvenor Hall in Ashford, Kent; Dearne Valley in Doncaster, South Yorkshire; and Overstrand Hall in Cromer, Norfolk – saving over 150 jobs and over 100 seasonal contracts, and ensuring that the planned ‘residentials’ for over 50,000 young people in 2025 will still go ahead.
“The administration will see seven Kingswood centres close across the UK with immediate effect. With this in mind, PGL has pledged its full support to the administrators of the Inspiring Learning Group to proactively facilitate as many trips as possible booked with the closing centres, with no financial impact to parents. We will accept new bookings from impacted Kingswood customers at the price previously agreed with Kingswood, and further reduce that price to recognise any monies previously paid to Kingswood.
“Colleagues impacted by this news are encouraged to contact resourcingforkw@pgl.co.uk for assistance in finding alternative roles within PGL Beyond.”
Goodbye to a much-loved brand
Kingswood says that it is in the process of contacting all customers who have a confirmed or a provisional booking for 2025. Further information can be found at www.pglbeyond.com/kingswood-support.
“We are devastated by this news and want to thank all our colleagues and customers for supporting Kingswood over the years,” read a statement from the company on its website. “We wish them all the very best for the future. It has been a privilege to be a part of so many life-changing experiences for young people, and we hope that they continue to be memories they will treasure forever.”
