GOVERNORS of a Valleys school have a High Court date set to challenge the Assembly’s handling of the proposed closure of their sixth form.

A judicial review sought by Brynmawr Foundation School’s governors will be heard in Cardiff in January next year.

The governors are challenging whether the Assembly’s delegation of powers to Blaenau Gwent council to propose and consult on closing their sixth form was legal.

They claim the school’s foundation status, which means it is run by its own governing body but funded by the state, prevents any authority but the Assembly from proposing a closure of any part of the school.

A passionate campaign to save the sixth form was launched in July and pupils held a silent demonstration at the school, more than 2,000 people signed a petition opposing the closure and pupils and parents protested outside the Sennedd in Cardiff and Blaenau Gwent council’s headquarters.

In September, Blaenau Gwent council’s executive voted to propose closing all its sixth forms and transfer pupils to a Coleg Gwent-run college at The Works in Ebbw Vale.

The Assembly is currently considering this proposal.

Head teacher James Retallick said: "We are glad that the date for the judicial review has been set and we’re very pleased that our application for it was successful.

"We’re optimistic that the judge will find in our favour and that we’re doing everything that’s fair and in our power to keep our successful sixth form in our school – so that post-16 learners in Blaenau Gwent will have a choice of where to study."

The judicial review will be heard by a High Court judge, sitting at Cardiff Civil Justice Centre on January 19, 20 and 21.

The Assembly said it was unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.