A rural primary school in North Yorkshire will permanently close its doors at the end of August amid falling pupil numbers.
Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School, near Catterick Garrison, has suffered from dwindling pupil numbers in recent years which has impacted on its financial position.
A six-week consultation was launched in November last year, which included a public meeting. A statutory notice was then published about the school’s planned closure providing the opportunity for further representations to be made until Friday 28 February.
At a meeting of our children and young people’s service today (Thursday 20 March), a decision was made to close the school permanently on 31 August.
Our executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Closing a school is never an easy decision to make. We know small, rural schools in the county have many strengths, including a strong relationship with the local community and low pupil-to-teacher ratios.
“However, pupil numbers at Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School have continued to drop since 2017. The school has a capacity to accommodate 42 children but currently there are only a handful of primary age children attending.
“We have a responsibility to look into the quality and breadth of education to ensure every child in the county has the best experience at school and with a heavy heart, we have no choice but to close the school.”
She added: “The council has ensured that there are places available at local schools to accommodate the remaining children locally.”
Meanwhile, a decision has also been made to end sixth-form provision at Wensleydale School.
For the past two years, there have been no post-16 students in Years 12 and 13 at the Leyburn-based high school. The school will continue to remain open to pupils aged 11 to 16.