Whitby secondary school pupils told it could close after summer holidays as parents express outrage

A letter sent to parents of Eskdale School pupils on Wednesday revealed governors are proposing to close the site and instead send students to Caedmon College

It is the second time in a decade the school, which is undersubscribed at 406 students out of a capacity of 550, has been threatened with closure.

According to the town’s MP Robert Goodwill, it was offered a stay of execution in 2016 after having a good Ofsted report.

But governors have said without the merger, both schools in Whitby are at risk of falling into a financial blackhole as Caedmon College is also undersubscribed.

The letter, signed by Christina Zanelli and Su Crossland, the co-chairs of the governors, said Caedmon College could be given a new name to reflect the amalgamation.

According to the letter, governors met with North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) representatives at the end of autumn to propose the merger, and if the council approves it, it could take place from as early as this September.

The governors wrote: “The reason for this proposal are three linked factors: low pupil numbers, significant financial challenges at both schools and an imperative to give the best education and curriculum to the young people of Whitby.”

But parents have already started a petition to stop the merger, signed by some 365 people as of Thursday evening.

Terri-anne Jones, 40, began the petition as she wants her 10-year-old daughter to attend Eskdale School following her two older daughters both enjoying their time there.

She said: “It’s just horrifying that we fought so hard last time. It was a whole town effort and we all believed it was done, and now seven years later they’ve pulled the same thing again.

"When my eldest went to Eskdale, she was so quiet and shy but Eskdale has a big family atmosphere and she came out of herself and doing things I never imagined she would.

"It’s having that choice – the two schools are different and Eskdale is smaller and geared more towards drama and the arts. If you don’t fit in at one school, you can go to the other one.”

Robert Goodwill, the Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said: “Short of building 10,000 houses in Whitby, I’m not sure what the alternative is [to the proposed closure.]

"There is new building going on, but not to the extent that would fill all these school places.

"In the short term, we have massive overcapacity and both schools are slowly going bankrupt.

"Parents need to understand why this decision has been forced upon the governors and county council. I'm well aware of the loyalty that parents have to both schools. But nothing can change the fundamental figures.”

A decision on whether to formally consult on the proposed merger will be taken by NYCC in February.