THE doors to an academy which opened just five years ago were closed for the final time at the weekend.

The keys to The Robert Owen Academy in Blackfriars Street in Hereford were handed over to the Department for Education on Saturday.

Chris Morgan, chairman of the Robert Owen Academies Trust and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the school, presented the keys to a representative of the DfE marking the end of what he described as “an ambitious and wholly worthwhile project”.

He said: “Robert Owen Academy gave a fresh start to young people from across the county who had struggled in mainstream education. Staff re-engaged these young people in productive education to make learning accessible and realistic.

“I am exceptionally proud of what both students and staff have accomplished in their time with us. What students achieved is fantastic.”

The school was told by the Government in March that it was failing and needed to close by the end of August.

The academy provided young people with essential work-skills in careers including engineering, science and horticulture through its academic and vocational education courses.

Mr Morgan said: “This was an ambitious and wholly worthwhile project – to provide support to young people who for a variety of reasons, had been disenfranchised from mainstream education.

“For those who passed through our doors, we engaged them in academic and vocational teaching to enable them to obtain jobs and make a positive contribution to society.

“The hand over of the keys is not only sad to me personally but a loss for the future. But the community should be thankful that the trustees, governors and hard-working staff tried – and delivered even though our tenure was cut short.”

The closure resulted in some 50 students having to be relocated to other schools.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “The department is currently considering reuse options for the Robert Owen Academy site on Blackfriars Street.”