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22
Apr 2024
Councillors reject last-ditch bid to save Fountains Earth school
Councillors have rejected a bid to ‘call in’ the decision by the Conservative-run executive to close Fountains Earth primary school in Nidderdale.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive met last month in Northallerton to approve the closure following a consultation. It took effect at the end of March.
The school in Lofthouse near Pateley Bridge faced dwindling pupil numbers in recent years and had no pupils on its books.
The school received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted less than two years ago.
At a specially arranged meeting at County Hall, Cllr Andrew Murday (Liberal Democrat, Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale) asked that the decision to close the school be taken again, either by the executive or at a full meeting of the council.
Following Cllr Murday’s request, the children and families overview and scrutiny committee had the power to explore if the executive had all the information available to it when it made its decision.
Councillors heard from Stephen Ledger, a former parent at the school who said Fountains Earth had been the “heart of the community” until 2022.
He then described how “brilliant” permanent teachers left without explanation, which led to the school relying on agency staff. He said it left children “confused and unsettled” and confidence in the school from parents evaporated.
Cllr Stephen Ramsden, chair of Upper Nidderdale Parish Council, pleaded with councillors to help keep the school open for a September 2024 start. He said:
Cllr Murday again called for an investigation to take place first into the leadership of the Upper Nidderdale Federation, which ran the school, related to its academic and financial performance, as well as communication with parents.
He added:
Stuart Carlton, North Yorkshire Council’s Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service, read out a statement that addressed concerns raised.
He said the council did not have the power to investigate the governance of the federation.
Mr Carlton added:
Councillors voted unanimously to reject the call-in request and agreed that the executive had received a thorough report and details from officers before making its decision.
Cllr Heather Phillips (Conservative, Seamer) said:
Heather Peacock (Conservative, Upper Dales) added:
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