Future of school with just 13 pupils to be discussed

The fate of a closure-threatened North Yorkshire primary school with just 13 pupils is set to be discussed, with parents facing having to send their children elsewhere.

St Hilda's Church of England Primary School in Ampleforth will shut its doors at the end of August if North Yorkshire Council decides to approve its closure.

The results of a consultation into the plans are due to be examined by councillors on 7 May, with most respondents "unsupportive" of the closure, the authority said.

Emma, 39, a parent of a pupil at St Hilda's, told the BBC she was "devastated" at the prospect of the school closing permanently.

She said that despite there being another primary school in Ampleforth - St Benedict's Catholic Primary - she feared its selective admission policy would see some families with different religious beliefs missing out on places.

She added that some parents felt "uncomfortable" about having their children taught at a Catholic school.

She said the next closest school was four miles away and her child would not be eligible for transport to and from there.

"I don't know whether we are going to have to move because both me and my husband work," she said.

"I am absolutely devastated and just really angry.

"All the school needs is a bit of stability and security and the school will start to thrive again."

'Special place in community'

For the last 15 years, the primary school, with a maximum capacity of 49, has had no more than 36 pupils - and that number has now fallen to almost single figures.

North Yorkshire Council has argued that because the number of pupils at St Hilda's had now dropped to 13, its closure had to be considered.

A consultation into the school's future was launched on 1 March following a request from its governing board.

North Yorkshire Council said a total of 80 responses had been received, with "the majority unsupportive of the proposed closure".

Amanda Newbold, the council's assistant director for education and skills, said: "It is clear from the responses from local residents and parents that there is a lot of support for St Hilda’s Church of England Primary School and it holds a special place within the community.

“However, low pupil numbers can make it challenging for a school to operate within its budget as well as maintaining a high quality provision, teaching and learning.”

The outcome of the consultation is to be discussed at North Yorkshire Council’s executive meeting on 7 May, with a final decision due to be made on 16 July.

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