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24
May 2022
Bilton has 'sufficient primary places' if Woodfield school closes
Education officials have said there should be "sufficient primary places" in Bilton if Woodfield Community Primary School closes, even though most nearby schools are full.
A report to councillors today will recommend they approve beginning a consultation on closing Woodfield by December 31 this year at the earliest.
The report recommends the consultation is shortened from the usual six weeks to four weeks because of "the urgency of the position and the need to provide as much clarity as possible to parents before the summer holidays".
It says parents and carers of the 37 pupils remaining at Woodfield will be asked to apply for the preferred school that they would like their child to transfer to in the event of closure, adding:
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Woodfield has a capacity of 150 pupils — 113 more than it currently caters for. Many parents have moved their children amid the ongoing uncertainty.
Nearby schools full
Nearby Bilton Grange Primary School, Grove Road Community Primary School and Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School are all currently operating beyond capacity, the report says, while St Robert's Catholic Primary School is one pupil below capacity.
Woodfield's closure would therefore put pressure on nearby schools but the report to councillors at tomorrow's North Yorkshire County Council children and young people's service committee says:
The report says pupil numbers determine school funding and Woodfield is forecast to have a budget deficit of £97,000 this year and a cumulative deficit of £229,000 by 2023/24.
Future of site unclear
A decision on the future of the school site has yet to be made. The report says:
Woodfield was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2020. It subsequently failed to find an academy sponsor and a proposed merger with Grove Road fell through this year.
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