A ‘PIONEERING’ studio school is being forced to close its building less than a year after it opened.

Students at Hyndburn Studio School, St James’ Court West in Accrington, will now have lessons at Accrington and Rossendale College due to ‘lower then anticipated’ applications for the new year.

The school opened last September and specialises in commercial and creative arts.

A spokesman for Hyndburn Studio School said: “Following a highly successful first year of operation, applications for September 2013 are lower than anticipated, and unfortunately insufficient for the school to continue in its current form.

“However, there is clearly still a demand for the mix of vocational and academic education The Studio provides and this is the basis on which the school will move forward.

“Low recruitment has prompted the Studio to look for alternative ways to build on and further develop its work with young people into the future.”

From September, The Studio will be based at Accrington and Rossendale College campus in Sandy Lane, in the college’s 14-16 learning centre.

It has not revealed how many students have so far signed up.

The spokesman said: “This will ensure that all current and future students will benefit from the college’s outstanding facilities and broaden the opportunities available.

“Our first priority is the education of our existing students to the highest standard with minimal disruption to their studies.”

Head of school Hilary McGonagle said: “Change is always a challenge to deal with but it brings with it many opportunities and the hard work that went into setting up The Studio will not be wasted.

“The move to Accrington and Rossendale College will ensure our current students succeed and the innovative curriculum The Studio offers continues to be available.”