Sir William Romney's sixth form school was set for closure after a review by council education officials.

However, the school's governors opposed the move and called in adjudicators from the government's Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The LSC's consulation showed an "overwhelming majority" in the town wanted to keep the sixth form open.

The LSC said Sir William Romney would now have a two to three year period where it would be allowed to stay open and develop its curriculum.

A LSC spokesman said: "The chance of being closed had come as a wake-up call to the school.

"They acknowledged they needed to change and that they were willing to do that."

He added part of the reason it remained open was down to lack of rural education provision.

The council review also concluded that the sixth forms at Kingsmead School in Cheltenham and the Vale of Berkeley College should close.