A Government report has recommended the closure of the Vale of Berkeley College, just seven months after school inspectors said it was improving.

The school is smaller than most comprehensives, with fewer than 300 pupils and no sixth form. Youngsters who go on to sixth form often transfer to Katharine Lady Berkeley's School in Wotton-under-Edge or Rednock School in Dursley.

Despite Ofsted's positive report, education expert Graham Badman has recommended the school should close as part of a review of schools with "challenging" results and falling pupil numbers.

He concluded that low student numbers were having a negative impact on the school's ability to offer a broad curriculum, limiting opportunities for pupils.

Gloucestershire County Council is now considering the report.

It said it would carry out a formal consultation with parents and residents before any decisions.

Councillor Jackie Hall, deputy leader and schools chief, said: "Vale of Berkeley is facing two of the biggest challenges for a secondary school – sustaining good results and fewer parents choosing it for their children. We have worked hard to keep rural schools open but with fewer than 300 pupils it offers limited opportunities to offer a broad range of subjects.

"Mr Badman's view is that the school should close but we will be talking to parents and local people and exploring all options. Whatever decision is made will need the consent of the Secretary of State."

The report by Ofsted said the college's good attention to individual pupils was encouraged by its small size and enabled all students to feel valued and safe.