North Yorkshire village school faces closure with eight pupils

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

Bilsdale Midcable Chopgate Primary School, built for 48 pupils, faces closure with only eight children on roll.

Bilsdale Midcable Chopgate Church of England Primary School in Chop Gate near Stokesley faces possible closure after pupil numbers fell to just eight, with only four children expected to remain next September. The school has capacity for 48 pupils. None of the current pupils lives within the school's catchment area. North Yorkshire Council is considering launching a formal consultation on the school's closure.

Despite being rated good by Ofsted at its most recent full inspection in November 2023, when it had 15 pupils, the school has struggled to attract enough children. Governors forecast numbers could fall to four in the 2027/28 academic year and three the following year. The school is also facing a worsening financial position, with a budget deficit of £189,200 forecast by 2028/29.

Governors concluded that falling numbers and mounting financial pressures could make it impossible to keep the school open. They say there is no viable long-term recovery plan because so few school-age children live within the catchment area. Local councillor Heather Moorhouse said the potential closure would be a sad loss for the community but acknowledged the governors had no other option.

North Yorkshire village school faces closure with eight pupils — Image: Gazette & Herald (Malton)

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How it is being reported

North Yorshire school built for 48 pupils faces closure with just eight on its rollBilsdale Midcable Chopgate Primary School faces possible closure as pupil numbers fall to eight and North Yorkshire Council considers consultation on November 3.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 27 Oct, 13:00
North Yorshire school built for 48 pupils faces closure with just eight on its rollBilsdale Midcable Chopgate Primary School faces possible closure as pupil numbers fall to eight and North Yorkshire Council considers consultation on November 3.The Press (York) · 27 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Bilsdale Midcable Chopgate Church of England Primary School · Chop Gate · Stokesley · North Yorkshire Council · Heather Moorhouse · Great Ayton

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