Scarecrows make a stand in fight to save at-risk school

Kettlewell Primary School and Arncliffe Church of England Primary School are facing the threat of closure as part of an education shake-up in Upper Wharfedale by North Yorkshire County Council.

Parents and villagers in Kettlewell have accused the council of "riding roughshod over them and their children."

Now scarecrows from the annual Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival are being used along with a banner on the way into the village to highlight the campaign.

Richard Humpidge, chair of governors at Kettlewell Primary School, said: "Small schools perform better. It's all part of the small is beautiful ethos – an intimate teaching environment, the big kids looking after the small ones, and the close bonds with the local community."

Campaigners claim the school is stable in terms of roll numbers and finances for at least the next two years.

A county council spokeswoman said: "A number of options are being considered including asking stakeholders their views about whether the retention of educational provision in Kettlewell is desirable and how this could be achieved.

"Moreover, the consultation period is being extended until December 17 to give people more time in which to make a considered response. The review has been brought about by concerns over falling rolls across the area and their impact on schools' finances and ability to sustain good educational provision in the future."