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.
In an exclusive interview with ITV Border the chair of St Bees' governing board defended the decision to close the school this summer.
Professor Frank Woods attended a public meeting on Saturday night and told hundreds of angry parents that St Bees' future was not financially sustainable.
On Friday the governors confirmed the school would close this summer despite a rescue plan put together by a group of campaigners.
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.