PARENTS and pupils have been left reeling after being told the sixth form at Sir William Romney's School in Tetbury will close next year.

Falling pupil numbers in recent years has meant post-16 facilities at the school have been deemed unviable.

Last September's intake will be the last to sit A-levels at the school - used by students in the Nailsworth area.

The closure was announced after an extraordinary board meeting of governors last Monday.

It comes less than two years after the sixth form was saved by a vociferous local campaign backed by MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

Headteacher Eric Dawson said: "This is a massive disappointment for the whole school, particularly after the efforts put into saving the sixth form from closure two years ago. "However in coming to this decision we are placing the interests of all students above those of the perceived needs of the institution."

Governors say numbers have fallen because more pupils are going to college in Stroud and Cirencester where there is a greater choice of subjects and social activities.

Post-16 funding is based on a fixed amount per pupil so the decrease in numbers has caused budget pressures.

Some classes had just two pupils.

Mike Barnes, chairman of the governors, said the initial threat of closure in 2004 had also affected pupil intake.

He said: "That was a massive blow to us.

"But the school is better than it ever has been.

"For three years running we have had record GCSE results. But kids want to spread their wings a bit further."

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said the reality was that teenagers were drawn to larger colleges.

"One has to face up to the fact that Stroud and Cirencester are offering a greater range of subjects and pupils are voting with their feet," he said.