Lessons for pupils at an independent school saved from the brink of closure began again in earnest yesterday.

About 35 pupils at Newlands School in Seaford were back in class revising for A-level and GCSE exams after a tense Easter holiday when the school announced it was closing.

Last week, wealthy parents Mike Holland and John Summers stepped in to pay off a £1million debt and secure a future for the school at Newlands Court in Sutton Avenue.

Headteacher Oliver Price said: "It was a very exciting day. There is a great sense of optimism. We are fortunate to have two influential benefactors committed to the school, wonderfully committed staff and students who are back because they want to be. I cannot see how we will not succeed."

Lessons began yesterday for sixth form and Year 11 pupils taking exams this summer.

About 80 to 100 pupils are expected next week when lessons start for the other year groups.

The school told parents financial problems forced the original closure on April 4. It was previously hoped education company Cognita would take over the school but the school's landlords, the Chittenden family, refused to hand over the lease to another party.

It was later revealed the Chittenden family, which owns Newlands and its 23 acres, had entered into an agreement on the land three years ago with construction firm Allum Estates.

Lewes MP Norman Baker is calling for a new law to make independent schools pay into a trust to ensure the continued education of pupils if they go bust to try and prevent another situation like Newlands.

He said: "The safeguards one would expect of a public service should apply in the private sector. It's not like a chip shop going bust overnight and it shouldn't be treated that way."