SCORES of students have been told their school is closing just as a new term is about to start.

But two other schools on the same site are safe as an independent company will be taking them over.

Parents and staff were only told this week that Commonweal Lodge, part of Lodge School in Woodcote Lane, Purley, will close because of financial problems.

But the nearby reception and prep school will carry on as normal after Cognita, an independent school management company which owns South Croydon's Cumnor House School, bought them both.

In a letter to parents dated August 31, chair of governors Heather Starbuck said: "It is with deep and heartfelt sorrow that we will have no alternative but to close Commonweal Lodge.

"Unfortunately the recession has hit the school badly."

She adds that 71 girls will be without a school after the closure.

Upper sixth student Charlotte Behzadifar was head girl and has attended the school since she was three years old.

Her mother Jacqui Behzadifar, 47, who estimates she has spent a quarter of a million pounds at the school on fees for Charlotte and son Oliver, said families should have been told the news earlier.

She added: "To find out the school is closing by a letter sent in the summer holidays is absolutely appalling.

"We can't fault the school, the teachers or the headmistress for their education but now we are faced with having to find our daughter a school the week before term starts."

Charlotte, who was made head girl in lower sixth, is now frantically trying to find a sixth-form spot as schools open for the new term.

But because of her A-level choices and different exam boards she may have to resit her first year again at an independent school.

And as the Advertiser went to press, she still had not found a place.

In the letter Ms Starbuck states the governors spent all summer trying to find a buyer for the school but "were unable to".

She adds classes will continue until October, but for Charlotte there will be no option to stay.