Academy bosses recently announced A-Level courses will be cut at Sheringham Sixth Form, while Corpusty Primary School, near Holt, looks set to shut in September.

The decision has sparked controversy in the north Norfolk communities, with students potentially facing long journeys to reach the nearest alternative school.

It has prompted members to demand that the Department for Education (DfE) and Norfolk County Council (NCC) investigate the proposals by Synergy Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the schools.

At a meeting this week, two motions were tabled by councillors, urging officials to review the potential harm to children's "life chances".

Councillor Liz Withington, North Norfolk District Council's portfolio holder for community, leisure and outreach (Image: Supplied)

Liz Withington, a Sheringham Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "Can Norfolk County Council and the Department for Education confidently state that this closure will not harm life chances, increase inequality, or damage economic sustainability in north Norfolk?

"If they cannot provide that assurance with evidence, then they must intervene."

Bosses at Synergy have said the changes to the schools are necessary due to falling pupil numbers.

No A-Level courses will be taught in Sheringham from September after it was predicted there would just be 50 students in the next uptake.

It has been revealed that Sheringham Sixth Form will be scrapping its A-levels from September. (Image: Google Maps)

And pupil numbers at Corpusty school have also fallen to "unsustainable levels".

However, the Trust has said it is also facing wider financial pressures and it has warned that further changes across its schools may be unavoidable.

Ms Withington warned that while there are falling birth rates, removing schools risks turning towns like Sheringham "into places solely for retirement and holiday homes".

"That deepens inequality, weakens our workforce and hollows out our communities," she added. "It is the greatest weakness of the academy system."

Corpusty Primary School (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Andrew Brown, who represents Corpusty, hoped dozens of new homes planned for the village would boost pupil numbers in the future.

He added: "Giving falling pupil numbers as the principal reason for its closure is slightly disingenuous. There are other factors about the way they have managed the school."

Following the meeting, the council will write to the DfE, NCC and Synergy to demand a review of the potential closures.

© Eastern Daily Press