Scores of angry parents say it will take a miracle to save their children's debt-ridden school.

Still reeling from the shock closure of Newlands School in Seaford, parents and children rallied outside the independent school on Saturday.

They waved placards aimed at landlords the Chittenden family, which read: "You have stolen our future" and "Shame on you" after the family turned down an offer from education company Cognita to transfer the lease.

Parents received letters last Tuesday informing them of the closure due to serious financial difficulties. It emerged the school had taken out a loan to expand facilities but could no longer afford to repay it.

Many of the 450 pupils, now battling for places at other schools, are due to sit GCSE and A-level exams in six weeks and 200 staff have been left without a job.

Some parents had paid fees of up to £17,850 a year, two years in advance.

Parent and rally organiser Graeme Mackie, of Western Road, Hurstpierpoint, said: "We were there to show our appreciation for everything the school has done for our children and to give an enormous thanks to the staff who are still working for hours every day to support us and find places. We also wanted the landlords to realise what they have done and the impact this has had on 450 children and 200 members of staff.

"They should feel ashamed of themselves and very guilty. The best we can hope for is that by some miracle they decide to reconsider their decision."

Mr Mackie, whose 15-year-old son attended the school, added: "When you find a place like Newlands which is a real jewel you feel at last there's a place where your children can really grow into great human beings. When that gets taken away from you feel shocked initially and then angry. I am reasonably optimistic we will find another school but I am incredibly worried for other parents."

Tracy and Nigel Davies, from Seaford, have managed to find places for their three children, Natalie, 13, Alex, 12 and eight-year-old Zoe, at St Bede's School in Upper Dicker and Eastbourne.

Mr Davies said: "It was tremendously emotional and it's been a horrible week. There are still a lot of parents who are disillusioned.I don't think they have grasped the situation. As far as I'm concerned, that's it.

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions. You can't blame the leaseholders entirely. Why was the school in financial trouble in the first place?"

Nobody from the school or the Chittenden family was available for comment.