School closes before summer exams

Newlands School went into administration after talks failed

The closure of an independent school has left hundreds of children including GCSE and A Level students in need of a place by the end of the Easter break.

Newlands School in Seaford, Sussex, has written to about 450 families to inform them it has gone into administration.

Lewes MP Norman Baker has been working to help Newlands stay open. Two schools have offered places to exam students.

On Monday, head teacher Oliver Price said he was "heartbroken" that the children would not be back in April.

I haven't been able to finish the job Oliver Price, head teacher

The school told BBC South East Today it followed two years of financial difficulties caused by a fall in the number of pupils, and that attempts to rescue the school over the weekend had failed.

Mr Price said: "I am absolutely shattered by the loss of this fantastic school."

Exams 'within weeks'

Apologising to parents, he said: "I am just so sorry they were kind enough to give me charge of their wonderful children and ask me to look after their educational progress, and I haven't been able to finish the job."

Brighton College and Eastbourne College are among the schools that have offered "extraordinary" places to GCSE and A Level students from Newlands.

Head teacher of Brighton College, Richard Cairns, said: "I believe that every Brighton College family would want me to see what we can do for those students facing exams in six weeks' time.

"This must be a traumatic time for children and parents, and it is simply the right thing to do."