A north Suffolk vocational centre is to close next year after directors said dwindling student numbers left it “financially unviable”.

The North Suffolk Skills Academy (NSSA) in Halesworth, owned and managed by the Bungay High School Academy Trust, will close in August 2017 after directors said decreasing numbers of students made it financially unviable.

The centre, formerly the North Suffolk Skills Centre, was saved and relaunched by Bungay High School in 2013 after a number of other schools pulled out of a partnership arrangement.

It provides vocational courses to students aged 14-19, predominantly from the Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Leiston areas, including in catering, engineering, construction and hairdressing.

Angelo Goduti, headteacher at Bungay High School, said: “It is with much regret that we have to announce that we have no choice but to close the North Suffolk Skills Academy (NSSA) in August 2017.

“Despite the excellent level of provision, the numbers of students enrolling for some post-16 courses at the NSSA has fallen significantly. The current and projected dip in numbers affects funding and financial viability significantly making it impossible to run the centre beyond August 2017.

“We have worked extremely hard to avoid its closure, working closely with partner schools and exploring alternative business models. We are so disappointed that this has not been successful.”

While existing students at the academy have been assured they will be able to continue their studies, either at the NSSA or elsewhere, the closure has caused upset among some members of the community who feel it would make vocational studies difficult for teenagers living in the rural locality.

An online petition has been launched against the closure and has attracted 46 signatures so far.

Leiston resident Malcolm Briggs, who has a granddaughter who studies hairdressing at the academy, said: “There has been no consultation with students or parents.

“If this facility closes then the youngsters will have to travel either to Ipswich or Lowestoft, if these courses are available.

“Being a rural area this academy is of great importance to our future workers.”

However, Mr Goduti has said the school has been left with no choice but to close the centre.

“If we had a choice we would be keeping it open,” he said. “It is with heavy hearts that we have had to make the decision to close it down. We have no choice as financially it’s not viable, because fewer students means less funding.

“It’s difficult to consult on something where we have no choice. It’s fair to say that we have not had a formal meeting with parents but we have spoken with many parents individually. We have met with students to inform them of what’s happening.

“We are working very closely with students and parents, particularly to ensure that the students in Year 10 have their education disrupted as little as possible.

“We are devastated that it’s come to this.”

Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey said: “If student numbers have fallen, then we cannot assume that Bungay High School can continue to shoulder the financial burden.

“I think the best chance of survival is if it is taken on as part of the Halesworth Campus project.

“The apprenticeship levy may be an avenue to restart engineering and technical courses in the Academy.

“I hope we can work towards that.”

To sign the online petition, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-north-sufflok-skills-academy-closing