The Inspiring Learning Group owned 11 Kingswood camps, with Kingswood having been the largest programme provider for the National Citizen Service.
Kingswood, whose history dates to the 1980s and catered for primary and secondary schools, youth clubs and uniformed youth groups, said it was “devastated” by the decision meaning that planned trips will be cancelled.
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Feature: Provider delivers NCS residentials enhancing pupil wellbeing
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Outdoor adventures: Key policy developments
The Kingswood centres closing immediately are:
- West Runton, Norfolk
- Green Park, Buckinghamshire
- Dukeswood House, Northumberland
- Peak Venture, South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire, near Wolverhampton
- Ryde, Isle of Wight
- Colomendy, North Wales
Outdoor education company PGL Beyond, which has acquired three sites, said it is working to transfer existing bookings to its other centres. The centres remaining open following acquisition by PGL are:
- Overstrand Hall in Cromer, Norfolk
- Dearne Valley in Doncaster
- Grosvenor Hall in Ashford, Kent
The Inspiring Learning North Devon Centre has been acquired by Halsbury Travel Group, one of the UK’s leading school travel operators.
— Kingswood (@Kingswood_) January 17, 2025
Kingswood said in a statement: "We are very sorry to let you know that we have gone into administration.
"Unfortunately, seven of our centres will now close, and any planned trips to these will not be fulfilled by Kingswood.
"We appreciate that this news will be difficult to absorb.”
Kingswood said PGL had offered to “find impacted customers an alternative trip at a price previously agreed with Kingswood” and would “recognise any monies previously paid to the Inspiring Learning Group”, adding: “We are in the process of contacting all customers who have a confirmed or a provisional booking for 2025.”
PGL said the acquisition had secured 150 jobs and a further 100 people who had received offers of seasonal work with Kingswood, would be re-offered, adding that “planned residentials for over 50,000 young people in 2025 will go ahead”.
Three acquired centres will trade under the PGL name from the 2025 season and the company said it is planning improvements ahead of “full transition to a complete PGL experience” from 2026.
PGL chief executive Anthony Jones said, “While the trading environment remains challenging, and our sector continues to face rising costs, we are pleased to be able to acquire these three centres and provide the required financial support to maintain their operations.
“We know how important a milestone in a young person’s journey a school residential provides, and are mindful of the potential impact should they miss out on this life-changing experience,” Jones continued.
“With this in mind, PGL has pledged its support from the outset, offering to work with 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.”
Kingswood’s website charts a history to 1983 when its first centre was founded in the village of Kingswood, Staffordshire.
Following nationwide expansion, “five million life-changing adventures” were delivered by “thousands of inspiring activity leaders”, it states, adding: “We are enormously proud of every visitor and member of the Kingswood team that have made our 40 years truly memorable and worthwhile.”
Among its cited achievements were the launch of Kingswood Hardship Fund, which aimed to make trips “even more accessible to every child with funding and support”.
