Consultation requested for future of rural schools

Proposals to hold a public consultation over the future of two rural schools are set to be considered.

Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School, near Catterick Garrison, has suffered financially with dwindling pupil numbers in recent years, with just 12 children now attending the school.

The school's governing board has approached North Yorkshire Council to request a consultation to decide on the next steps for the school, which will be reviewed at a council meeting on 5 November.

At the same meeting, the future of sixth-form provision at Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, where there are only eight sixth form students, will also be considered.

Currently entries to the sixth form at Wensleydale School have been temporarily suspended, although the school remains open to 11-16 year olds.

The nearest sixth form is Richmond School, which is just over nine miles from Leyburn.

A number of rural schools have closed in North Yorkshire in the last year, including Fountains Earth Child of England Primary in Nidderdale and St Hilda's Church of England Primary in Ampleforth.

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, who will decide if a public consultation should be carried out, said: “We value our rural schools and understand their importance in close-knit communities of North Yorkshire.

“I will be carefully considering all aspects of both proposals when deciding if the public consultations should proceed.”

If agreed, the consultations would run for five weeks from 11 November, with a public meeting due to be held in early December.

The council’s executive would then be scheduled to consider the consultation feedback in January with a final decision expected in March.

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