A not-for-profit independent school could be closed down after bailiffs were sent in by Kensington and Chelsea Council.

The Tabernacle School in Holland Park was visited by debt collectors last month after failing to pay two months of business rates amounting to £3,000.

Pastor Derrick Wilson said the Christian school has since cleared its debt with the council but continues to ‘live hand to mouth’ each month and is struggling to pay teachers and bills.

Mr Wilson, who set up the school with his wife in 1998, said parents hit by similar financial worries are failing to pay their fees, leaving the school with a serious deficit.

“In 15 years we have never been this close to closing,” he said. “We have 42 pupils at the school but due to parents losing their jobs not all of those are fee-paying pupils. The economic downturn has hit parents and us very hard.

“We cannot throw these children out of the school because their parents cannot pay the fees. We’ve been able to negotiate with the council in the past. The school comes under the Tabernacle charity and makes no profit. We just want to be able to continue teaching the children to a high standard.”

Mr Wilson said the school relies on fundraising from its affiliated church’s small congregation and he has even donated from his own pocket.

“The fees don’t cover the school’s budget at all,” he added. “Funds come from our small church and well-wishers. For a number of years we have lived from hand to mouth. My wife and myself have to make huge sacrifices ourselves to keep the school going.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The council collects business rates on behalf of the government and has a statutory duty to do so. Following the issue of a summons for non-payment of the business rates the council agreed with the school a discretionary instalment arrangement in May in order to clear this debt.

“Unfortunately the school did not keep to this arrangement so therefore, regretfully, the bailiffs were instructed.”

The school charges up to £9,000 a year in fees, which is less than at most independent schools.