Pupils will only be allowed to return to sit exams

St Elphin's School in Darley Dale was originally set to shut in June 2004 because of mounting debts.

It was granted a reprieve when a business consortium paid �2.5m for the site, which it wanted to develop.

A bid to sell some of the school's grounds for housing was refused by Derbyshire Dales District Council and the school will close on Friday.

School finances were further undermined when a �500,000 legacy from a former pupil became tied up in legal arguments.

Students who are taking GCSE and A level examinations over the next few months will be allowed to use the site, but all other pupils will have to attend school elsewhere.

The school owners said in statement they had "worked hard" to make the school viable, but this had proved "impossible".