FORMER students, school leaders and governors have expressed 'sadness' after it was confirmed Appleton College will close because of 'persistently low numbers'.

A four-week consultation on the closure of the site, which is situated at Bridgewater High School's upper site, on Broomfields Road, launched at the end of September.

Although it will not recruit any new students from September 2018, anyone currently in sixth form will not be affected.

Governors reached the decision to go ahead with the proposal after thoroughly reviewing feedback from the consultation.

Bridgewater High School principal Tim Long said: "I would like to thank all those people who provided feedback.

"It's worth noting that one consistent feature of the feedback, especially from former students, was sadness that Appleton College would no longer be an option for students, a feeling that we as school leaders and governors share.

"However, this is balanced by the widespread recognition that the persistently low numbers leave us little room for manoeuvre."

But he is confident that the future will be bright despite the loss.

He added: "The important thing now is that those students currently in the college continue to receive the best education possible, while we look forward to developing Bridgewater in new and exciting ways.

"Central to this will be building on our newly acquired status as a teaching school.

"Also, by being part of The Challenge Academy Trust multi-academy trust, which includes Priestley College, we will be able to work in partnership to establish even stronger transition arrangements between KS4-5."

In a statement in the consultation feedback, governors said they 'feel strongly that significant efforts have been made over the last decade' to boost the recruitment of students.

It added: "However, governors are respectful that there may be a difference of opinion on this matter.

"Nevertheless, where governors are clear, is that there comes a point when difficult decisions have to be made and that is what Bridgewater now faces.

"Therefore, there is a sense of genuine sadness regarding the proposed closure of Appleton College but there is equally optimism about the future opportunities for Bridgewater High School."

The next stage of the process involves passing on the consultation feedback to the regional schools commissioner and the Department for Education.

For further information visit bridgewaterhigh.org.