Parents of pupils at Thetford Grammar School (TGS) have criticised the Chinese owners following the unexpected announcement that it would be closing at the end of the academic year.

The school - which has a history stretching back to 631AD and counts revolutionary thinker Thomas Paine among its former pupils - wrote to parents on Monday, blaming the government's 20pc VAT levy on independent school fees as a decisive factor behind the decision.

Thomas Paine attended the school between 1744 to 1749 (Image: Newsquest)

But parents have said they were given no warning of the independent's school’s financial troubles when they made payments for the current term, and have accused its chairman, Jay Liu, of “running” from their concerns.

They have also claimed that Mr Liu has deactivated his email following the announcement.

“He’s disappeared,” said one parent, who asked not to be named.

"He's refused completely to speak to any of the parents.

"The news was just delivered to us at half past 5 on Monday afternoon. That's not acceptable.

“I'm sorry, you don't just drop and run. Our contracts say that we should be given a full term's notice. He hasn't done that."

Another parent, whose child is in year 11, said she paid £40,000 to the school in April for two years of sixth form fees.

Jay Liu, the school's chairman (Image: Newsquest)

She said she was encouraged by the school to pay in bulk for a discounted price.

“We are not wealthy millionaires with family money. We're ordinary working people," she........

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