Two schools face being closed as education in dale is redrawn

North Yorkshire County Council has begun a formal consultation with schools and families on two options for the future of primary school provision in the area.

Both options would see Arncliffe Church of England primary school and Kettlewell primary school close.

The first option proposes a single school to be created from Arncliffe CE primary, Kettlewell primary and Grassington CE voluntary controlled primary to be based on the Grassington site. Threshfield primary would remain open.

The second option, which is favoured by the county council, would involve the creation of one school for the area currently served by Arncliffe, Kettlewell, Grassington and Threshfield which would be based on two sites. The Grassington site would have the Children's Centre (as now), some additional childcare provision and key stage one children aged from four to seven years old. The Threshfield site would accommodate children aged from seven to 11 years old.

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire's executive member for schools, said: "It is hard to see how, with low and declining numbers, and so declining levels of funding, schools in this area can continue to give children the best possible education and range of experiences.

"We recognise the long history of education in small schools in the area and that these schools are highly valued by their communities. But we have to think about the future and the best means in the circumstances of providing the highest-quality education for our children under strong and sustainable leadership and governance."

The county council says that a growing number of governors and headteachers have been concerned to pre-empt the financial difficulties which are expected to affect many schools locally as they face the prospect of continuing falling rolls, difficulties in recruiting headteachers, challenges in the development of appropriate provision where numbers are particularly small and a lack of access to early years provision and childcare.

Upper Wharfedale includes seven primary schools which between them serve up to 347 children, projected to fall to 303 by 2014, with current numbers on roll at each school ranging from nine to 95.

The county council says that it is particularly challenging for very small schools to maintain a broad and balanced curriculum when there is increasing pressure on budgets and to provide all the necessary social and developmental opportunities for children.

It believes the two options represent a "better use of scarce resources than the current position."

By 2014/15, Arncliffe primary may have just six children on roll, a further drop from the current seven and Kettlewell may only have 15.

By 2011/12 each of the four schools will be bringing in insufficient money to meet existing costs.

The proposed changes have the potential to improve the viability of a single school, and to provide the best educational and social outcomes for the area's children in comparison to the current provision across the separate schools, according to the county council.

Coun Watson said: "We hope people will respond fully to this consultation so we can make the best decision for the future of Upper Wharfedale's children."

Responses from the first stage of the public consultation will go before the county council's executive on January 11, 2011.

The changes are due to be implemented in September next year.