TEACHERS at Grittleton House School say they have been left angry and out of pocket after being told they won’t be receiving redundancy pay or wages immediately for their final two months following the closure of the school.

A teacher who attended a meeting on Tuesday, but wished to remain anonymous, claims that more than 20 other teachers at the school found out last week that it could be October before they are paid the several thousand pounds they are owed. Staff have been told they would have to apply for the money through the government’s redundancy payments office.

“We have got to claim for that money through the government redundancy payment scheme meaning they have left us through the summer with having no money,” the teacher said.

“Peoplewere saying they were going to struggle to pay their mortgages and there was a feeling of hurt and anger. Staff feel let down and I think the best thing I can say is they made it very clear that trust has been lost.

“We had been told we would receive our salaries through the summer and redundancy pay in September, but last week that was all thrown up in the air when they said they were no longer able to pay us.

“The thing that’s most disappointing is at the end of term we were formally thanked for being so supportive and before that we were asked to go on teaching as normal. We could have not gone in but everybody tried to be professional and we just feel let down.”

Proprietors of the school and house, Adrian, Julian and Matthew Shipp, issued a statement on the school’s website at the start of June stating it would be closing after 65 years because “pupil numbers have continued to decrease”.

This week the school said: “With much sadness due to the continued decline in pupil numbers, Grittleton House School ceased trading as of July 2016 and has now closed. Regrettably, this will involve redundancies and we have been working with external advisors to ensure that staff receive all full payment due to them.e are providing the affected staff with full support to ensure they progress their claims as quickly as possible. Grittleton House School will continue to keep staff informed and along with their advisors are working hard to minimise any additional distress at this very difficult time.”

It also stated that “staff whilst dealing with their own personal issues are remaining professional throughout and are offering all of the help and advice they can to pupils and parents, we are most grateful for their support”.

The Gazette approached Grittleton House for a comment but received no reply.

Teachers at the school will have to apply to the government for their money but only once 75 per cent of the creditors who are owed money vote to trigger the process, which is expected to take place in September.