The head of the organisation designed to protect independent schools has branded last week’s announcement of the sudden closure of Putney Park as “crazy”.

The owners of Putney Park school told parents via email that the school is set to close on July 4 only a fortnight ago, meaning scores of children face an uncertain academic future and dozens of teachers face losing their jobs.

Brian Tweedie-Smith, the school’s managing director, cited the economic downturn and dwindling students numbers as reasons behind the closure.

But Neil Roskilly, chief executive of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), believed the owners had deliberately not invested in many areas of the school in order to justify its closure.

He said: “It is a desperate situation for the school that the owners have decided to close the school without consultation.

“The owners have taken a very short-term view. The school is in a very healthy position, it has a bright future because of a fabulous reputation, high demand and passionate teachers.

“They have not spent any money on the buildings and have let it run down.

“They have also not spent any money on marketing, which explains the low intake for next year, or reinvested money in lucrative opportunities such a nursery.

“Furthermore, the closure was announced after the latest round of entrance examinations.”

On Monday night a steering group, set up by frustrated parents in response to the announcement, met with the Tweedie-Smith family to present what they consider to be a viable business model for the school to continue.

The model included plans to offer the sale of one of the school’s four buildings that would “free up” cash for the owners and allow the school to carry on, albeit in smaller premises until a decision which satified both parties could be reached.

It is understood the group want to “force” the family to look more carefully at the situation in order to avoid a “long, costly and protracted” legal wrangle.