Families call for village school to be saved

A mother of one of the 18 pupils launched the petition as she said the school made her SEN son "flourish"

The mother of a child with special educational needs has called for the village primary school her son attends to be saved from closure.

The Dales Academies Trust revealed proposals to shut Kirkby Fleetham Church of England Primary School near Bedale, North Yorkshire, after the summer term.

It has just 18 pupils, and low enrolment and the impact on children's wellbeing as well as long-term financial sustainability were cited as reasons for the decision.

Katy Bolton said her child had "absolutely flourished" since joining the school.

Ms Bolton, who has set up a petition on behalf of parents, said: "We have been in contact with Rishi Sunak MP. There's been a couple of people in the community who have actually physically handed him written letters."

She added that her son's previous school could not meet his needs.

"He only started in January, and he's almost a different child," she said.

'Better provision'

Ms Bolton pointed out that the school had not been part of the Dales Academies Trust for long and was grouped with three other schools to "keep them alive".

"I've seen personal proof that actually a smaller school has better provision and can provide better educational needs for the children that need it the most.

"Obviously it's going to impact my child and probably a lot of the other children on a personal level because they're going to be split up from their friends.

"I have been told by other people, like the parish council, that they're worried that the community and the village itself may end up just dying."

The trust has received notification from the Department for Education that the Secretary of State has approved the decision to close the school.

Damian Chubb, CEO of Dales Academies Trust, said: "This decision has not been taken lightly, and we will be working closely with the families affected by the change to ensure their children are well-placed in a new school."

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