The sudden closure of Newlands School in East Sussex has left 450 pupils, including many with special needs, reeling as details emerge that its owners knew about planned development three years ago. Documents obtained by The Times reveal the Chittenden family's land deal with Allum Estates, which casts doubt on claims of financial difficulties as the reason for closure.
Confidential papers from August 2003, seen by The Times, show the family's agreement to grant developers vacant possession of the school premises. The discussions explicitly mention 'extinguishing' third-party interests, a clear reference to the school's lease. This raises questions about whether the family was committed to keeping Newlands open or prioritising lucrative land deals.
Newlands' financial woes were largely attributed to escalating rent costs from £110,000 to £160,000 per year. However, a proposed rescue package from education company Cognita was reportedly rejected by the Chittenden family, who declined to sign over the lease to save the school. Oliver Price, headmaster since 2015, expressed his dismay at being left with no choice but to close.
The value of the land itself stood at £2.3 million in 2003, even without planning permission. Lewes District Council has not received any planning applications from Allum Estates for the site. The Chittenden family took over Newlands in 1988 and established a charitable trust to run the school, with David Chittenden's death leading to his wife Mavis and three daughters becoming landlords.
The closure has left around 100 pupils searching for alternative arrangements for their summer exams, including those who relied on Newlands' specialist dyslexia provision. Former teachers Caroline White and Gillian Webb are planning a new school specifically catering for students with unmet needs, with 16 colleagues offering to teach there.