A PAIR of brothers have gone back to their old school – to buy it!

The former pupils of the now defunct Malsis School, Jamie Seddon, 45, and Jonathan Seddon, 43, attended Malsis in the early 1980s. They were keen to bring the historic building back to life after hearing it had fallen into disuse late last year.

The independent preparatory school finally shut its doors in December, 2014, after falling pupil numbers, pressure on fees and a failed merger with Giggleswick School forced its closure.

Charles King and Hunter Kelly, joint administrators of Malsis School Trust, have now sold the land and buildings formerly occupied by the school to Seddon Developments Ltd, part of the family-run Seddon Solutions group.

The 32-acre plot includes a grade II listed former country estate, which contains the main hall of the former school, a chapel, gatehouse and a number of other buildings.

The Seddon brothers are currently in talks with Craven District Council about bringing forward plans for the site.

The Malsis "old boys" say they are looking forward to working closely with the local community on development proposals, but have not yet outlined what the extensive empty premises may be turned into.

Jamie Seddon, managing director of Seddon Developments, said: “I have many happy memories of going to Malsis and was incredibly sad when I heard it had closed its doors last year.

“I hope that together with the council and the community we can find a viable use for the school and the grounds and work together to bring this building back to life, creating a number of local employment opportunities along the way.”

Malsis School was founded in 1920. Its rural setting includes a lake, rugby pitches and a nine-hole golf course.

Charles King, executive director at Leeds-based receiver Ernst and Young and one of the joint administrators, said: “We’re delighted to have secured the sale of the land and buildings to Seddon Solutions.

"The funds from the sale should enable a substantial dividend to be paid to the creditors of the school, including former teaching staff.”

Eddisons Commercial Property acted as the agents for the sale.

The school's closure was first announced last November and saw nearly 50 staff lose their jobs.

Malsis's 61 pupils and their parents were informed in early November, 2014, that the school would permanently close at the end of that year's autumn term.

Outline planning permission for 50 homes in the school grounds has previously been given.