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06
Dec 2022
Another Harrogate district school looks set to close
North Yorkshire County Council looks set to open a consultation on whether to close a school between Ripon and Boroughbridge.
Under the plan, Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School would shut in August 2023. The council will recommend carrying out a consultation into the plans at a meeting on December 13.
A council report said numbers at the school has been “falling over the past few years” and there were concerns about the impact on pupils’ education.
As of this year, nine children and one nursery pupil were on roll at the school. It has capacity for 52.
The low number has meant key stage two teaching has been taking place at Sharow Church of England Primary School, which is federated with the school.
The report added:
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The county council estimates pupil numbers “will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce still further”.
In autumn this year, the governing body of the school approached the county council to request a consultation on a closure.
The report added:
The council has proposed that, should the school close, then the catchment area will be taken in by Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School.
A consultation into the closure will be held from January 2023, if approved. Senior county councillors will make a final decision whether to close the school next year.
Fourth school to close?
Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School could become the fourth Harrogate district school to close in quick succession.
Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham closed after 200 years in summer last year.
Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School, near Thirsk, closed in summer this year and Woodfield Community Primary School will shut this month.
However, governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale withdrew their request for a consultation on closure this year and the school remain open.
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