THE sudden closure of a college for young people with autism and Asperger's has shocked students and their families.

Priory College closed its doors for the last time yesterday after staff told parents at the start of the week.

One concerned grandparent, who wished to be anonymous, said: “It’s very unfair to close the only college like it in the town. I was with my daughter when she got the call. It was a massive shock.

“Where are these young people going to go to receive the support they need? People with autism do not like change and this is a massive, sudden change for them.

“Everyone who went to the college will have the same problem. My grandson has a place at New College but needs support between classes which Priory would have provided.

“They got a bad Ofsted report but I thought they would have tried to deal with those issues rather than just close up.”

Ofsted inspectors gave the independent specialist college the lowest possible rating of inadequate in their May report.

They wrote: “Staff have not ensured that all students are safe and know how to keep themselves safe. Senior leaders do not monitor the quality of provision or put actions in place to improve it.

“Governance is ineffective. Teaching, learning and assessment are not good enough. Leaders have not used high-needs funding quickly enough. Senior leaders are unable to identify areas of concern. Too few students gain appropriate skills to equip them for living independently.”

A spokesman for the college said: “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close the college at the end of summer term on July 5. This follows a detailed internal review of the service and feedback from local authorities and Ofsted.

“We have been in close contact with young people and their families about the decision, and we apologise for the impact this will have on them. As a priority, we are working hard with commissioners and local authorities to help find young people suitable provision for September.”