The trustees of Penn School have told how putting the special school into administration was the 'hardest decision we have ever had to take.' 

Pupils and parents were heartbroken to find out earlier this month that the non-maintained school in Church Road, Penn, would be closing down, forcing them to find new school places before September.

Parents were notified of the closure by email on July 7, despite the trustees admitting they knew the school was under threat in April.

The board claim they didn't tell parents about the closure earlier because they didn't want them to take their children out of the school and make the situation worse.

In a statement released on their behalf by PR Agency PHA, they said: "The trustees were aware of the very difficult financial situation in late April, but were still trying to find ways to keep the school open. 

"Had the trustees gone public earlier with their concerns, some parents might have removed their children, making the school’s finances even more perilous, and thus impossible to attract prospective buyers. At this point, there were potential buyers; sadly, they subsequently pulled out."

After pursuing all their options, the trustees say they put the school into administration with 'great reluctance.' 

They said: "We pursued all possible turnaround, re-financing or sale options, including extra borrowing, new ways of increasing pupil numbers or converting to academy status. 

"Sadly, it became clear that the scale of the investment needed in a short space of time was simply too great and on July 6, with great reluctance, we decided the only option was to put the charity into administration. 

"Delaying any longer would have made it impossible for pupils to be found alternative school places for the autumn term."

The parents of pupils were told just over two weeks before the end of term that the school was to close, but the board of trustees have revealed that they called administrators into the school back in May to 'produce externally validated financial forecasts.' 

Their statement said: "They reported that the school would run out of money by November 2015. Deloitte LLP was then instructed to identify potential buyers and carry out contingency planning."

Frustrated parents raised concerns about why the school had not tried to raise funds, but the trustees say an appointed fundraiser did not manage to secure costs. 

"The trustees employed a fundraiser on a short-term contract, who was unable to secure funds. Though they discussed appointing a full-time professional fundraiser, it proved impossible on cost grounds.

"A fundraising committee worked in conjunction with the Friends of Penn School for the last three years, but funds raised were typically put towards specific resources and activities required by the school, such as new computers, at the request of donors. 

"They did not go towards ongoing operating costs."

Tearful children said goodbye to the school on July 22, but the trustees are still hopeful that the school can be saved before September. 

They said: "It is the hardest decision we have ever had to take, but we are still hoping that, even at this latest stage, a viable buyer can be found for the school. 

"The school could only re-open as a financially viable business".

Will Black, a spokesman for Deloitte, told how the administrators were talking to interested parties about buying the school, but advised parents to continue to look for alternative options. 

He said: "We are still talking to interested parties; however, we are not at the stage where we can tell parents to stop looking for alternative places for their children." 

Visit www.thepetitionsite.com/688/622/376/the-closure-of-penn-school/ and www.gofundme.com/yz86mg to sign the petition and donate to the Save Penn School campaign.