Remote school with five pupils to permanently close

Rookhope Primary has effectively been shut since last year

A remote primary school with just five children on its register will permanently close at the end of August, it has been confirmed.

Councillors agreed to officially shut Rookhope Primary School in Weardale, Bishop Auckland, at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The school has effectively been closed since summer 2023 as its pupils have been taught at another school about seven miles (11.2km) away.

Rookhope was previously saved from closure in 2016 when it served 20 children.

With just five children on its register the school has the lowest number of pupils on its roll call in County Durham, and officials were told it serves the least-populated part of the region.

No applications were made for Reception at the school for either September 2022 or September 2023, Durham County Council heard.

Independent councillor Chris Hood said the decision was not made “easily” but added, “unfortunately there is no alternative”.

The school's closure will save about £128,000 in funding each year which can be more effectively spent on other schools, he said.

Local Weardale councillor John Shuttleworth, Independent, said the school had served the once-thriving community well, but the decision was in the best interest of local children and families.

"It’s the last thing I wanted but I accept kids will get a better education at St John’s Chapel," he added.

"It’s very very sad. I’d like to think that jobs will come along that bring families and we need another school, but we’ve got to live with it.”