THE first day of the new term is an important day at all schools — but it was particularly special at Radcliffe Riverside High School.

Pupils returned to the Spring Lane school on Monday to begin their final year of lessons.

But it also marked the beginning of the last ever academic year at the school as it will close its doors for the final time next summer.

It leaves Radcliffe without a high school and children will need to travel outside the town for classes.

There were plans to build a new high school on the former East Lancashire Paper Mill site but, with no funding available, it is not known whether that will go ahead.

Headteacher Ian Bott said: “We are sad that the school is closing but very confident because the results that we have had this summer were very good.

“It’s going to be hard work.

“It will be heads down and we are going to make sure that students achieve their potential.

“At the same time, we will reward good achievement — we will have some trips like paintballing and skating.”

There are now only 50 pupils at the school — all in Year 11 — and a small number of staff, but Mr Bott believes this benefits the pupils.

He said: “It’s a relatively small place where everyone knows each other.

“It’s like a big family. Everyone supports each other.

“It’s a very close-knit community now.”

On Monday, pupils were given their new school uniform for free, which included a hoodie with their name or chosen nickname on the back.

And while it may be business as usual for now, there will be celebrations next year to mark the closure of the school.

Mr Bott said: “We will be having a closing celebration of the life of the school in the summer.

“That will involve governors and ex-pupils.”