FIGHT FOR EX-SCHOOL FUTURE
Residents want building to be a community hub
A SQUIRE’S legacy dating back to 1725 secured education within the remotest of Dales communities for centuries.
But Horton-in-Ribblesdale Primary School, founded with an endowment for the furtherance of education, closed last year after pupil numbers plummeted.
Now, as the building itself is at risk of being taken over by the diocese, a battle is brewing between villagers and the church.
The school was set up for the good of the community, argue aggrieved neighbours as they ready for a campaign. And they will do all they can to ensure it stays that way, for the future of an isolated community now stripped of almost all its assets.
“This school was set up for the provision of education for the children in Horton,” said campaigner Nicky Rhodes.
“We would make it work, for the regeneration and sustainability of the area.
“We have seen all our assets stripped from Upper Ribblesdale. We have this amazing building – the opportunity is there for us to do something with it.”
The tiny school closed last July, after pupil numbers on the roll fell to just 12. Parents fought the decision, launching appeals and even hiring new staff after the headteacher left.
But it was felt that the quality of children’s education there could not be sustained with such small class sizes, and the doors were closed for the final time last summer.
In the time since, the trust which runs the school building has effectively failed its objectives, in providing education to children in accordance with the doctrines of the Church of England.
“The trust is in a vulnerable position,” said Ms Rhodes. “Legislation, set up in the mid1990s, allows the Church of England to take on failing trusts, to take on the school buildings.
“This was aimed at preventing empty buildings from withering away, with nobody knowing what to do with them.
“And our trust’s objectives haven’t changed since 1915, so we are at risk.
“It’s a rural area. Keeping the heart of our village is integral. If we lose this building, we lose the village.
“Many people feel that will be it. We will have nothing left. We are contesting the diocese.”
Villagers met in February to discuss the building and what could be done, with campaigners polling those who were unable to attend.
Of those who responded, 95 per cent said they wanted to see it kept for use as a community building, rather than allowing the diocese to take it on.
Now villagers have formed a campaign group, the Horton Old School Community Association, and are drawing up a business plan.
Architects are being consulted, and the association is applying for grants.
The hope is that, through a community effort, it can run the school building as an asset to the area.
“This is not just about running it as a community hall,” said Ms Rhodes. “There’s scope for running it as an outdoor education centre, or as a base for the Three Peaks art trail.
“It’s a wonderful building – there’s scope for offices for people who want to live in the Dales, or a shop, which is desperately needed up here. It’s still viewed as the heart of the village.
“It was set up as a grammar school, for the furtherance of education in this area. We want to continue that legacy.”
Approaches were made to the trust and diocese, which said it was unable to comment at this time.
We would make it work, for the regeneration of the area. Nicky Rhodes, of the Horton Old School Community Association.