Rural leaders appeal to education bosses over fears of school closures
THE YORKSHIRE Dales National Park Authority has called on education bosses to keep all remaining primary schools in the Dales open, amid fears that a number of them are now under threat.
Rural leaders have appealed to decision-makers to recognise the importance of the junior schools to the communities which they serve.
It has sent letters to the region’s MPs in a bid to highlight the need to keep primary schools open despite dwindling numbers of pupils.
The call comes after the recent closure of Horton-in-Ribblesdale Primary School, the latest of four schools in North Yorkshire to fold over the last six months.
Established in 1725, the tiny school had been a cornerstone of the village for centuries, and its closure has been described as “a serious blow” to the community.
North Yorkshire county councillor John Blackie, who proposed the motion to send the letters during a meeting last week, said up to 10 primary schools in the Yorkshire Dales were now “under threat” of closure because of falling pupil numbers.
He said: “As a National Park Authority, we want to send a clarion call to those that have influence over the running and funding of primary schools – to remind them of the importance of protecting these vital community assets. The efforts we are making
to retain and attract young families will be seriously undermined if schools are allowed to close because of short-term financial issues.
“Recent history shows us that if a primary school closes, the local community is set on the road to becoming a retirement village.”
Coun Blackie said that over the last 20 years, school pupil numbers in Askrigg, Brainbridge and West Burton had halved.
Carl Lis, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chairman, said they had a responsibility on behalf of residents to raise the issue. “The recent closure of Horton-in-Ribblesdale primary school was a serious blow for the community, which we campaigned against,” he said.
“We do not run schools, or set schools policy, but we have a responsibility to speak on behalf of local communities.
“We want to make the case to those who manage primary schools in the National Park that the schools should be retained.
“If they are not, young adults are likely to continue to leave the park, never to return to live, and the chances of attracting young families to replace them will be further diminished.”
The motion to call on authorities and school managers was approved unanimously by members of the authority.
There are 23 primary schools in the Yorkshire Dales, one of the UK’s 15 officially-recognised National Parks.