PARENTS are shocked after being told that Aston House school will close at the end of the summer term.

The independent school’s board of directors decided, along with the investors and shareholders of Happy Child which runs the school, to sell its two buildings for development.

Both buildings, the one for nursery to year two pupils on Aston Road, and the block for years three to six on Montpelier Road, will be permanently shut from July 31.

Staff were told on a teacher training day on April 16, a day before term started after the Easter break, and parents got a letter notifying them on April 20. Parents at the school in Ealing, which has around 80 pupils, are now struggling to find places for their children to go in September.

Aston House School has been run by Happy Child since 1995 with the Montpelier Road site opening two years later.

Nicky Sandhu, who has had children there since 1998, said if they had been given notice, they would have understood and had time to make alternative plans. She said that currently, however, she has not secured anywhere for her nine-year-old son to go.

Mrs Sandhu, of Hillcroft Crescent, said: “We are all stressing. The head was very upset, as were the teachers because they are now all out of jobs. The head has been trying to help parents find new schools.”

The mother, whose 16 and 11-year-old daughters also attended the school, added: “Happy Child obviously value the land more than our children’s education. We have no idea what it’s going to be turned into.”

Another parent, whose 10-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter study at Aston House, said: “What makes it harder is that all the parents get on so well. It’s like a family and all the teachers are fantastic, it’s not fair.

“We are concerned about all the kids, not just our own. Some of them were devastated. We just cannot believe it.”

Some children have managed to find places and many are going to St Augustine’s Priory and Clifton Lodge, both in Ealing.

Ealing Council’s admissions team is working to ensure that all the pupils have either got a place or have applied for one.

A spokesperson from the Happy Child group, which provides childcare and education in nurseries, independent schools and childcare qualifications at its training centre in Ealing, said: “We understand and accept this decision has caused concern but we are making every effort to provide advice, support and guidance where necessary.

“The decision was not taken lightly since Aston House has continued to flourish, both in its academic results and its extra curricular endeavours.

“Mrs Seabrook and the staff have always provided excellence in teaching and the supportive and nurturing environment at Aston House has allowed many pupils to become successful students.”

The head teacher was unavailable for comment.