THE controversial closures of two East Lancashire schools are to go ahead, senior councillors have decided.

Thomas Whitham Sixth Form in Barden Lane, Burnley shut on August 31.

Hendon Brook Short Stay School in Townhouse Road, Nelson, will close on the same date.

The decisions were taken by Lancashire County Council leader Cllr Geoff Driver and the authority’s education boss Cllr Philippa Williamson.

Cllr Charlie Briggs, leader of Burnley Council, said he was ‘very, very disappointed’ at the closure of Thomas Witham.

Cllr Azhar Ali, leader of the county council Labour group who represents Nelson East ward, said was angry the decisions were taken ‘behind closed doors’.

Thomas Witham designed for 600 pupils when it opened in 2006 but now has just 101 students despite a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted inspectors.

It currently has a budget deficit of £4.2million forecast to to rise by £2m in the next two years.

Cllr Williamson said: “The reality is that the school is no longer financially viable with such low student numbers.

“We share the concern of the school governing body about this situation, and now believe that there is no other option.”

Hendon Brook - which has a pupil referral unit serves pupils excluded from other schools in Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale - had just 11 pupils and was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in November

Cllr Williamson said: “Our paramount concern is always to provide the best education we can for all young people, and because of this we feel that this is the action we need to take.”

Cllr Briggs,who wrote to Cllr Driver opposing Thomas Witham Sixth Form’s closure, said: “This is a very, very disappointing decision. It is a mistake. Thomas Witham is a lovely school. The children there will now have to go out of town.”

Cllr Ali said: “We opposed these closures and called for further consultation. There is a case for keeping them open,

“Cllr Driver has taken these decisions behind closed doors.These difficult times are not the time to take such difficult decisions. They could have waited.”