Parents have applied for an interim injunction to halt the closure of St Bees School this summer.
The governors of the 400-year-old school had previously said it would close this year, but that they hoped to re-open it in 2016.
But campaigners say by then its long history will be destroyed and confidence in the school lost forever.
The St Bees Rescue Group which raised about £2m and put forward an alternative plan to save the school has accepted it will close this summer.
Chairman Mark George told ITV Border he is "heartbroken".
The West Cumbrian school is due to close this summer. The governors say falling pupil numbers mean it is not financially sustainable.
Governors have announced that St Bees School will close this summer.