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21
Mar 2023
Call to turn Boroughbridge school facing closure into forest school
Calls have been made to retain a village school near Boroughbridge that faces closure as a forest school.
Under plans put forward by North Yorkshire County Council, Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School will shut in August 2023.
But, Cllr Guy Critchlow, chair of Skelton cum Newby Parish Council, told county councillors today the site was a "ready-made forest school" with a large amenity space and playground.
Forest schools teach pupils in an outdoor learning environment and focus on play and exploration for education.
A council report said numbers at the school had been “falling over the past few years” and there were concerns about the impact on pupils’ education.
As of this year, nine children and one nursery pupil were on the school roll. It has capacity for 52.
Senior county councillors voted today to publish notices of the school's closure with a final decision to be taken on May 30.
At the meeting, Cllr Critchlow argued that the school could be viable as a forest school. He said:
Read more:
- ‘Badly let down’ Woodfield school closure confirmed
- Baldersby school commemorative event to be held ahead of closure
Meanwhile, Cllr Nick Brown, a Conservative who represents the Skelton-on-Ure village on the county council, told councillors he was disappointed discussions had not taken place with the community and the parish council prior to the proposal being published in December 2022.
He added the process should be delayed in order to consider whether to use the site for a forest school.
He said:
However, Cllr Annabelle Wilkinson, the executive councillor for education, said the site and its outdoor learning area alone had not been “sufficient enough” to attract parents.
She added:
The council has proposed that, should the school close, then the catchment area will be taken in by Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School.
Representations on the closure can still be made to the council by April 27.
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