A SIXTH form opened as part of the Government’s flagship free school programme is to close after just four years.

Atherton Community School is shutting its post-16 provision, which opened in 2013, at the end of July.

Sponsors Chapel St Community Schools Trust blame a lack of students for the closure.

In 2014 there were 29 students on roll.

The school will remain open and bosses say sixth form students will be supported in completing their studies.

A spokesman for the school said: “Following the consultation process over this academic year it has now been agreed that the sixth form at Atherton Community School of Hamilton Street, Atherton, will close in July.”

Opened under the Government’s education revolution to 'free' schools from local authority control, the Atherton sixth form runs A-level and BTEC courses for its students.

A spokesman for Chapel St said: “We are really disappointed not to be able to currently sustain the sixth form provision at Atherton.

“Like many schools facing funding changes and recruitment and resourcing challenges, it is not possible at this time to deliver the quality of learning we commit ourselves to offering this community.

"We are not excluding the possibility of looking further into this in the future.

"The sixth form students currently studying with us will be given the best possible teaching and guidance to the conclusion of their courses and will be properly supported in making choices for the next stage of their learning journey.”

Atherton Community School opened in September 2012 after Wigan Council controversially shut Hesketh Fletcher CE High School.

A campaign to keep a high school in Atherton resulted in parents, community leaders and Chapel St opening the free school.

It was based in the old town hall before opening on the Hesketh Fletcher site.

The opening of the sixth form marked a landmark moment as it was the first post-16 provision in the town.

Atherton MP Chris Green said: “I am disappointed to hear that the sixth form is closing.

"I hope provisions are made for children who are displaced and that they will be able to find the right sixth form in the area.

“I also hope the rest of the school remains a strong and excellent place for the remaining year groups to have an excellent education.

“One thing I think has to happen is for the council and other bodies to get behind supporting local schools, whatever sort of school they are.

“It was a challenge to get Atherton Community School set up in the first place and it was very much in line with what residents wanted.

“In future I do not want to see the local authority putting blocks or so many challenges in the way of the creation of a school that so many parents want to see opening."

Free schools are state funded and set up in response to demand.

They do not make a profit, are accountable to the secretary of state for education and they are inspected by Ofsted.