Parents whose children were left in limbo after their school was suddenly closed are to be told if a new school will be opened to accommodate them.

About 450 pupils have scrambled to find alternative places after Newlands School in Seaford closed three weeks ago to be sold to developers.

Schools in the area have offered their help but up to 100 pupils, many dyslexic, are thought to be without a school place three weeks before many are due to sit their A-level and GCSE exams.

Talk of a new Newlands has given many a possible lifeline and hopes rose after teachers leading the project announced "substantial progress" in finalising a deal over the Easter weekend. Former senior mistress Caroline White and former director of studies Gillian Webb began working on the logistics of opening an alternative school days after Newlands was closed.

Parents have added their support to the project and 16 teachers have signed up to work there.

On Sunday the pair posted an optimistic announcement on the school website: "As an update, we are delighted to report over the Easter weekend substantial progress has been made to secure continuation of education in Seaford for former Newlands students.

"We will make an announcement on Thursday 20 April, when full information will be given."

Ms White said the announcement would let parents know whether the new "Seaford Academy" would become a reality or not.

She said: "I can't give any other information because we haven't finished what are obviously quite delicate negotiations. On Thursday we are going to say one way or another because we will know whether we have been successful."