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30
Jul 2022
Consultation withdrawn on closure of Nidderdale village school
Governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale have withdrawn their request for a consultation over its closure.
They had put forward the plans after finding the low number of pupils made the school in Lofthouse unsustainable, with just 11 on the role aged between four and 11.
However, a letter issued to parents at the end of term said:
The move has been welcomed by parents who had opposed any possibility of the school's closure.
Sharon Leeming, whose two children have both attended the school, is chairman of the village parents' association.
It saw villagers rally in support of the school, turning out in force when the threat to it was discussed by Upper Nidderdale Parish Council at the beginning of July.
Ms Leeming told the Stray Ferret:
'New information'
While the governors have not given a reason for their decision, North Yorkshire County Council confirmed the news to the Stray Ferret. Stuart Carlton, corporate director of children and young people’s services, said:
Ms Leeming said she and other parents had provided information about more families moving to the village in recent months, as well as others planning to do so.
Part of the reason for the village's increasing popularity, according to Ms Leeming, was the number of people who were able to work from home for the first time following the covid pandemic.
She said:
Read more:
- Ofsted praises 'small school with big ambitions' in Nidderdale
- 'No option' but to close Woodfield school, says council
Unlike other schools under threat of closure, Ms Leeming pointed out Fountains Earth is rated 'good' by Ofsted.
It is part of a federation of schools with St Cuthbert's in Pateley Bridge and Glasshouses Primary School, which has just received a very positive Ofsted report. The three schools share a headteacher, Nicola Thornber.
However, she said any threat over its future could lead people to choose other options rather than risk having to change their child's school later on.
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