Protest march over proposed Whitby school closure

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for schools Coun Arthur Barker has decided to start the consultation over the closure of Eskdale School and the enlargement of Caedmon College in the town.

A petition signed by more than 4,800 people was handed to him on Monday ahead of his decision.

Coun Barker said that he had taken people’s views into consideration and added that the outcome was not guaranteed.

He said: “I am well aware of the great interest and concern about this shown by a large number of people in the Whitby area. It is entirely understandable that people feel passionately about their children’s education.”

He added: “It’s important for children now, and in the future, that we look seriously at the challenges secondary education faces in the Whitby area. I remain concerned about how to ensure that secondary education in the Whitby area is of the highest quality, including a good and viable post 16 offer.

“We need to enable young people in Whitby to stay in the area as they prepare for higher education or employment. This means that in a world where school resources are reducing, it is important to look at how schools can make the best use of their resources to retain and attract good teachers. I want to examine whether this proposal would enable these important things to be achieved.”

The County Council said the authority has long held the view that a single secondary school would be the best way forward.

However the Fight to Save Eskdale campaigners have criticised the decision to start the consultation.

In a statement the group said: “The Fight to Save Eskdale Campaign team are very disappointed to learn that Coun Arthur Barker has ignored the overwhelming support for this wonderful school and decided to begin the consultation process. We remain committed to our pledge to keep choice in education for the parents and children of Whitby and its surrounding villages.

“It is our belief that maintaining a choice is the only way to ensure that effective competition can create the challenge to continue to drive up the standard of education in the town.

“The team will continue to work with the community and the various clubs and societies that rely on the facilities at Eskdale School to provide opportunities for children and adults alike in this already deprived area.

A protest march through town will start at 1pm on Saturday from Whitby Abbe