Hove language school closes suddenly (From The Argus)

Hove language school closes suddenly

10:20am Tuesday 8th November 2011 in News By Emily Walker and Neil Vowles

A language school shut its classrooms suddenly after being removed from an official list of immigration sponsors.

Regency College in Hove, announced the sudden decision not to open for lessons on a Facebook page.

Stunned students and teachers arrived at the school to find the doors of the college, in Wayland House, Western Road, closed.

Overseas pupils said they were concerned about recovering course fees which had been paid in advance.

One student, who did not wish to be named, said: “Last Tuesday was a normal day but the next day the school was closed and no one from school answered calls or emails.”

A message on the school’s Facebook page on Friday November 4 said: “We regret to tell you that Regency College has closed."

One former member of staff who has not been paid, said: "It’s very brave of them to announce their closure on Facebook, while offering no reason at all. This is a scandal that has to be investigated.”

Accreditation board English UK said Regency College had been removed from the UK Border Agency register of sponsors.

A spokeswoman for English UK said the 140 students signed up to courses at the school at the time it closed would be able to continue their studies with other British Council accredited centres in the area and they would not have to meet the costs of the new courses as they will be paid for by the Student Emergency Support Fund which English UK operates.

Regency College directors Toby Lindsay and Helen Murphy said in a statement: “The English language teaching market has become progressively difficult to trade in, due to the restrictions on student visas by the UKBA.

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