Lowick School had hoped a review would enable it to challenge a County Council recommendation that it should close.

A decision on the school's future will now be made by Cumbria County Council in January.

The High Court in London had been hearing an application lodged on behalf of the 21 pupils who attend Lowick Primary School near Ulverston.

Good teaching

Cumbria County Council said the decision was taken because of surplus places and falling numbers.

But the court had heard claims the county council failed to consult everyone involved with the school, and that it had not made clear what will happen to the pupils.

The school was praised in a recent Ofsted report which highlighted its consistently good teaching.

If the closure plan is ratified in January, then the youngsters will have to travel to lessons at Penny Bridge School, near Greenodd, from the end of the current school year.