Four more weeks for Whitby residents to have their say on closure of primary school with just two pupils left

A four-week consultation period has now started for anyone who wishes to make their views known before a final decision is taken.

Earlier this month, the council’s Executive agreed to continue with the closure process.

A report by council officers said that the proposed closure was not related to any issue with school standards but due to falling pupil numbers over a number of years which meant that the school was no longer financially sustainable.

The school does not have a distinct catchment area, but as a faith school takes pupils from Whitby and surrounding rural areas.

Attempts by governors to find a solution to the potential closure last year did not produce an alternative plan and many pupils moved to St Hedda’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Egton Bridge last September.

Stuart Carlton, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “Whenever we have to take forward a proposal for school closure we do so with a heavy heart. The consultation response to date indicates an acceptance of the situation here given only two pupils remain on roll.

“Nevertheless, we would welcome any further views to be made known before the Executive takes a final decision.”

The notice was published on January 22 and the consultation closes at 5pm on February 19.

To take part in the consultation visit https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/st-hildas-roman-catholic-primary-school-public-notice