Huntingdonshire Regional College has announced proposals that could see it close its music school, a move that would see more than 100 students forced to find tuition elsewhere.

The music school is run from the college, as well as visiting primary schools across Huntingdonshire, and provides extra-curricular tuition for students of all ages on Saturday mornings and weekday evenings.

But, following a reduction in funding in recent years, the college has announced a month-long consultation which could see the school closed.

Head of estates Chantelle Watson said: “The college’s funding has been significantly reduced over recent years resulting in a full-review of non-core unfunded activity. The music school falls into this category and hence the consultation on the cessation of the provision at the college.”

Currently there are 103 learners who take instrumental lessons at the college and a further 78 taught in primary schools.

Mrs Watson told The Hunts Post: “Pupils will need to find alternative provision after the summer term with either under a new music school model outside the college control or with other providers.”

As a part of the consultation the college is working with the charitable group Huntingdonshire Music School Association to see whether any students can continue being taught by the organisation.

“Following a request from staff and the Huntingdonshire Music Association for more time to develop an alternative model for the music school to continue outside of the college’s control,” added Mrs Watson.

Established in 1966, the school has been providing tailored and joint practical and theory tuition by professional music tutors for five decades.

In a statement, the college said: “Student numbers have fluctuated but have been on a long-term downward trend for a number of years, partly in response to alternative provision being available locally at a reduced rate.”