School to close after decline in pupil numbers

Holy Family Catholic High School is set to close before the end of August in 2025

A secondary school is set to close after declining pupil numbers left it unviable.

The management of Holy Family Catholic High School in Carlton, near Selby, said it had "worked tirelessly" since becoming an academy in 2021 to improve its financial position.

Despite this, only 298 children were currently enrolled in the school from a maximum of 425 and the "difficult decision" was taken to shut by 31 August 2025, the end of the current academic year.

Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust, which runs the school, said it was working to ensure pupils have a place at a new school by the closure date.

The trust said that the school's location in a rural area with low numbers of young families and a lack of transport to the site had been factors in its falling roll over the past five years.

In a statement on its website, Holy Family said it would continue to be "a special place for the whole community" this school year.

"We will remain committed to delivering the highest standard of education and to supporting the pupils, families and staff," it added.

Local authorities will offer support and guidance to impacted families

North Yorkshire Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council would write to impacted families to offer advice, the trust added.

Amanda Newbold, North Yorkshire Council's assistant director for inclusion, said the decision to close the school was taken by the Department for Education.

"The council’s role is now to help to find alternative school places for North Yorkshire pupils currently attending the school," Newbold said.

"We will be working with the trust and other local schools and academies to support parents of affected children to find suitable places."

Parents were also encouraged to attend school meetings to discuss the next steps for admission processes.

The Department for Education confirmed it had agreed to the proposed closure, following a request from the trust.

"Officials will now consider any responses to the listening period and carry out a full impact assessment before we make a final decision on the closure of the school," the DfE said.

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