A sixth-form student is leading the fight to keep Pent Valley College in Folkestone open and has set up a petition to Kent County Council.

Bethany Smith, who is in Year 12, says she was left devastated by the council’s decision and the possible closure of her school.

She started the petition and hopes it means the council will “see sense” and stop the closure.

She published it immediately after last Wednesday’s announcement, which told parents and pupils about a closure consultation on the proposals because of falling pupil numbers, rising debt and low exam results.

A final decision on the school’s future will be made in late March or early April next year, KCC has said.

But the council's education director, Patrick Leeson, said this week the schools needs "a fresh start" away from the "Pent Valley brand".

The council revealed it wants a free school to take over on the site from 2018 with Mr Leeson adding the school could not carry on "in its current form".

If the school is closed all pupils except the current Year 10 will be forced to move school from next September.

Bethany is among students who fear they may have to move schools in the middle of their A-levels and says she and her fellow classmates are “distraught” by this prospect.

She told the Folkestone & Hythe Express: “Many students across the school are horrified that they’re not being given a choice on the transition of their preferred establishment.

“I know how many of us Year 12 students are petrified and losing sleep worrying if we will finish our A-level studies.”

She said she is upset at the decision for Year 10 to carry on at Pent Valley while current lower sixth-form students face the upheaval of moving during the middle of their A-levels.

“Some students are being forced to finish a two-year course in a year. This is causing a huge amount of stress,” Bethany said.

“Pent Valley has a large community of students who have disabilities and English not as an official language but our staff are trained to deal with these students.

"Parents have said how happy they are and their children are happy to have been provided the opportunity to have the support they need. But why should the council destroy these students’ and families’ happiness?

“I’m hoping the council will see sense and we can continue to keep Pent Valley open as happy as we all are here and achieving well. But on behalf of Pent Valley, I’m going to continue to fight their corner, like they always have mine.”

The online petition, which is on the Change.org website, has reached almost 500 signatures in the first week.

See this week's Folkestone & Hythe Express for a full report about KCC's plans and reaction to the closure announcement.