Parents and residents are being asked to share their views about the future of a rural primary school in North Yorkshire.
Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School near Catterick Garrison has in recent years suffered from dwindling class numbers impacting the school’s financial position.
The most recent full Ofsted inspection was in November 2022 when the school was graded as good. At the time, there were 30 pupils attending the school.
However since then, there has been a downtrend in the number of pupils on roll and currently there are eight children attending the school.
A request to consult on the next steps in the future of the school was given the go-ahead by our executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, on Thursday last week (7 November).
The closing date for responses to the consultation that launched earlier this week is 5pm on Friday 20 December.
Cllr Wilkinson said: “This is an important consultation and it is essential we take everybody’s views into account.
“We value our rural schools and understand their importance in close-knit communities of North Yorkshire. Therefore, I would urge parents, carers and the local school communities to share their views so that we can make an informed decision as to what steps to take next.”
In addition to an online consultation, a public meeting is set to take place at Hackforth Village Hall, Hackforth, Bedale, DL8 1PE, on Wednesday 4 December, at 5.30pm.
Our executive members will consider the consultation feedback in January 2025.
If the proposed closure is approved at the end of the required process, then Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School would close on 31 August 2025.