Rethink on school closures in Dales

Following a campaign by residents over the potential closure of Arncliffe CoE, Kettlewell and Threshfield primary schools, in Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire County Council has now amended the proposals with Arncliffe – where only four pupils attend – being closed, and the other two kept open.

Rural primary schools in North Yorkshire are currently closing at the rate of one a year due to a

lack of young families bringing up their children in rural communities.

At the end of last year it was announced St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School in Leyburn was to shut after governors voted to ask the county council to publish statutory notices about the closure of the school.

It currently has just 15 children, with none in reception or year one, and if kept open faces a funding deficit of 75,000 by 2013.

North Yorkshire County Council's executive is to discuss the amended proposals for Upper Wharfedale on February 1.

If Arncliffe is closed, pupils would be transferred to Grassington CoE Primary School.