A LAST ditch attempt to save Bentham Grammar School from closure has failed.

Parents working on an alternative to a take-over by Sedbergh Public School have given up the fight, saying realistically there was not enough time

They had formed a committee to work on a rescue package, but only had until Monday to put together a proposal.

Parents were outraged at the way the closure was announced and fear their children's education will be put back a year through no fault of their own.

Peter Armer said: "Bentham has a happy, friendly culture which is why we sent our daughter Sophie there, not for academic excellence.

"We wanted smaller classes and the chance for her to become an individual, which she has.

"We are not about to put her in for assessment by some guy in a cap and gown."

His wife, Louise, added: "We wanted to build on the strengths of Bentham and would look into giving it a specialist identity, maybe in the performing arts or drama.

"I think we could have done it if they had told us 12 months ago, instead of two weeks ago.

"We are very sad, but we have to be realistic.

"We will go to the governors' meeting on Monday when they will sign the deal with Sedbergh and show them a potted version of our package so they can see what could have been.

"Now parents are frantically trying to find other places for their children."

Mr Armer said he was "appalled" at the way the closure was handled.

Letters were sent out on a Saturday informing families of the closure, but many didn't receive them before their children left for school the following Monday.

He said: "The first I knew about it was when my daughter, Sophie, 14, rang home in tears.

"The arrogance of Sedbergh has been staggering. Every kid over 13 has to sit an entrance exam, get over that trauma, and then be interviewed by the headteacher. Sedbergh is making no concessions on the syllabus.

"I blame the governors for not negotiating hard enough."

Chairman of governors at Bentham, Gerald Tyler, had pledged that the board would listen to the parents' case and make the best decision for the school.

He said: "Our job as governors is to have the best interests of the school in mind."

He added that there had been no consultation prior to the closure because it was felt this would send out a red signal and people would take flight.

The decision to close the school was announced following dwindling pupil numbers and the resignation of headteacher Ruth Colman.

Sedbergh Public School was looking to expand and agreed to take over the site and re-open it as Sedbergh Junior School.

All the Bentham juniors will be accommodated.

However, the seniors from Bentham Grammar will have to apply for places at Sedbergh Senior School.

Marketing director for Sedbergh, Paul Wallace-Woodroffe, commented last week that the selection system was fair in that the school was using the same entrance criteria it used for all its prospective students.