A COLLEGE branded inadequate by inspectors will fold due to lack of student numbers, it has emerged.

New Campus Basildon Studio School, in Great Oaks, Basildon, was criticised by Ofsted inspectors for low achievement and poor standards of teaching.

The studio school can cater for up to 340 students, but had just 176 pupils on its books at the time of the January inspection.

Paul Griffiths, the college’s chief executive, said the decision to close was “incredibly difficult but necessary to ensure pupils were given the best possible educational chances”.

Admissions to Year 10 were suspended in September 2016, when St Clere’s Co-operative Academy Trust took over as the studio school’s sponsor, pending investigations into its long term viability.

Year 11 and 13 students will be able to finish their courses while Year 12 pupils have received support to complete studies or obtain places with other colleges.

Headteacher Ashlie Hughes said: “Everyone has worked hard to improve the educational provision for the students, who have made significant progress over the last two terms.

“The decision to close the studio school was a very difficult one to make.”

New Campus Basildon offers vocational courses for youngsters aged 14 to 19 in areas including health and social care, sport, art, media and music.

It opened in September 2013 with Seevic College, based in Thundersley, as its main sponsor, but later withdrew representation.