School provision for autistic children is in crisis in Sutton after the closure of a specialist college.

Sutton Council has to find extra places for more than 25 autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children after the surprise announcement that Stowford College is to close.

The borough is already struggling to find enough places for ASD children. There are currently 49 year 5 and 6 children with ASD at primary school and only 18 specialist places in year 7 in Sutton’s secondary schools.

And a new ASD unit at Stanley Park High School has been delayed by at least one year, putting even more pressure on places. The unit will open in September 2011 at the earliest.

Croydon-based Eagle House Group which owns Stowford College said its school would close in July due to financial losses.

Councillor David Theobald, who has an autistic son, said: “There’s not going to be enough places for secondary school children with ASD and it’s a massive problem. These children need specialist care.”

Its sister school Eagle House School (Sutton) claimed it would take over the Stowford College site and some ASD pupils would gain places.

But a Sutton Council spokesman admitted Eagle House's plans were unclear and the council could not yet guarantee places to any ASD children.

A campaign group – Keep Stowford College Open – has been set up on social networking site Facebook and already has 30 members.

All 50 children at the school have come up with fundraising plans to keep Stowford College open and have written letters to Eagle House Group explaining why they are upset about the closure.

Around 25 mainstream pupils from Stowford College also face finding places at schools outside the borough.

Executive member for children, young people and learning services Councillor Tony Brett Young said: “We were initially very concerned by the lack of communication about the closure from Eagle House Group both to parents and to the local authority.

“The council currently funds 16 pupils and we will consider each of their needs and placement arrangements on a case by case basis. We are unable to provide details of final placements until these have been agreed for all concerned.”

Eagle House Group chief executive Paul Conrathe said: “Schools that offer such a specialism are few and far between. We look forward to providing a specialist education for this poorly represented group within south London.”