The Royal School for Deaf Children has closed today with immediate effect, leaving 350 staff unemployed just two weeks before Christmas.

The joint administrators concluded today that operations of the School, Sixth Form, and Westgate College can no longer be operated therefore resulting in their closure.

The decision means 240 staff have lost their jobs today after 120 lost their position on Monday when it was announced that The John Townsend Trust, which runs the school, had gone into administration.

Danielle Warrington, school chaperon, said: "I am truly heartbroken, this just isn't fair on the children at all.

"There is no warning. No transition period and nothing set up for where these children will go.

"We all want to fight and raise the funds to pay it off, I know it will be hard but we need to do this for the chidlren."

There are 140 staff left at the school spread over what remains of the care and residential services.

However, these services will also close in what the joint administration board call a "managed process" and the results of this are expected to conclude by late January.

The limited number of services are being put in place whilst arrangements are made with alternative care providers.

About 35 staff will be retained in order to provide services for those children who receive 52 weeks a year of residential care, currently numbering six, and approximately 105 further staff will be retained to provide services for adult residential care, adult day services, and supported living services.

Geoff Rowley, partner at FRP Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Since the appointment of administrators, our priority has been in assessing the ability of providing ongoing provision of core services and care, and the well-being of all of the John Townsend Trust’s pupils and residents, and their families.

"The difficult decisions taken to close the Royal School for Deaf Children, Westgate College and associated educational services alongside a managed closure of residential operations over the coming weeks, will all have a significant impact on the many children, young adults, their families and the wider community which these all serve.

"In reaching their conclusions about whether to continue with operations, the joint administrators have to look at the financial position while always ensuring that services only continue where they can be guaranteed to meet the requirements of the Care Quality Commission and OFSTED, aimed ultimately at keeping the right levels of care at the heart of the assessment.

"I would like to thank management and staff for their ongoing dedication and professionalism in maintaining as a priority the wellbeing of residents and service users, and am grateful for the support of the wider community in what has been a very difficult process for all concerned.”