Rural primary school could permanently close

Uptake of places has fluctuated at the school, a report said

A rural primary school that has declined in numbers could close next year under plans set out by Warwickshire County Council.

Great Alne Primary School, Alcester, takes children from the town, Studley and Redditch, with capacity for 105 pupils.

A report said uptake of places had "historically fluctuated" in line with other rural settings, and numbers had fallen from about 100 five years ago to 21 last month.

The council said it had provided "financial assistance, school improvement and marketing", but with surplus places in the area, challenges including "declining pupil numbers, mixed stakeholder feedback, financial viability and sustainability concerns" were expected to continue.

Consultation has begun and will continue until 12 December

The report said the school's cumulative financial deficit was projected to more than double to nearly £500,000 this year and next year, and any late rescue bid was deemed unlikely.

It said: "As the number of pupils has rapidly worsened and continues to decline, not only has the challenge to support longer-term sustainability increased but educating such small class numbers and providing a broad and balanced curriculum has become extremely difficult."

The document said there were sufficient primary school places across the Alcester and Studley area, with cohort numbers not expected to increase significantly in the short to medium term.

It said if the school did close, there were vacancies for pupils at schools between one and five miles away from the site in School Road, Great Alne, or pupils' homes.

The Reform-led council must consult parents and carers of pupils, staff, the governing body, relevant councils and other providers.

Consultation began on Monday and will continue until 12 December.

A decision is expected by April 2026, with a view to closing the school at the end of the academic year.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.