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06
Nov
Future of Harrogate village school in doubt
A Harrogate village school’s future is in doubt after the number of children on its roll dropped to six.
The future of Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School, part of the RBK Federation which also includes Beckwithshaw and Ripley CE Primary schools, is to be formally considered.
Executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman confirmed to the Stray Ferret today (November 6) that parents across the federation have been made aware that the process has been started.
The school's future is expected to be added to North Yorkshire Council's forward plan of key decisions imminently.
This suggests it’s likely that the school will close at the end of the current academic year.
Ms Kirkman confirmed that of the six children left, two are in Year Six, so would be leaving next year, leaving only four pupils on the roll.
She said:
If it closed, those children and staff would come to one of our other schools. There would be no impact on the children and parents – they could choose where they wanted to go.
She emphasised that Beckwithshaw and Ripley schools are under no threat and ‘thriving’, and that some parents had already made the decision to move their children to the other schools as pupil numbers dwindled at Kettlesing.
The school will struggle to afford to run, as the funding it receives is dependent on pupil numbers.
Governor meeting minutes from July stated:
It was noted that by the end of 2027 the existing funds for Kettlesing will have been utilised as there will be only 7 pupils at the school at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year which will significantly affect budget income going forward.
The Stray Ferret will monitor developments closely.
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