Village school to close despite parent protest

A village school in North Yorkshire will close at the end of the summer term despite objections from the local community after a final decision by the education secretary.

Dales Academies Trust said the outcome was based on falling pupil numbers and concerns about Kirkby Fleetham Church of England Primary School's financial viability.

A petition against the plans, signed by more than 650 people, claimed the closure would be "drastic" and "life-altering" for children.

The Department for Education said closure decisions were not taken lightly, but parents would receive support.

Tim Barker, whose five-year-old daughter attends the school, near Northallerton, said though the confirmation of the closure was expected, he felt an "extreme amount of disappointment" and "a little bit of anger".

"My daughter's grandfather, who's still alive at 82, remembers walking to school, gathering up other children along the way, walking across farmers' fields," he said.

Mr Barker chose the school for his daughter because of family connections after her mother died two years ago.

"My choices since losing my wife have been 100% about my daughter's future.

"One of those was about creating deeper roots within our local community, which starts at the earliest point - going to school," he said.

"These are the friendships which last the test of time."

Damian Chubb, chief executive of the Dales Academies Trust, said he was "acutely aware that this decision will be met with considerable sadness" by parents, pupils and staff.

The trust "shares deeply in this sentiment", he added.

"No trust wishes to close a school, and the decision has not been taken lightly by any means," he said.

The trust said the school would continue to provide education to pupils up until the last day of term and would support parents to find an alternative school, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Parents had written to the education secretary, asking her to intervene.

However, she backed the closure in February, with North Yorkshire Council saying it had "no alternative" but to agree to the move as the authority has no control over the decision of an academy trust.

The school's roll has fallen to 18 pupils, which the Department for Education said "made it challenging for the trust to continue to provide an environment that offers both high quality education and broader social development for pupils".

A spokesperson added: "We understand the closure of the school is a matter of concern for the community.

"The academy trust and North Yorkshire Local Authority will continue to offer full support and guidance to parents seeking alternative schools."

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