Decision details

To approve public consultation on a proposal that the County Council should close Kell Bank Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School from 31 August 2021, and that in the event of closure Masham School should become the catchment school for the existing Kell Bank area.

*PLEASE NOTE This decision was originally published on or near the date of the decision and so call in no longer applies. It has been re-published as part of the change in committee management system that we use.*

The number of children at Kell Bank CE VC Primary School has been falling over the past few years. At the beginning of September 2019, there were 15 pupils on roll in the school. This was well below the capacity of the school which could accommodate around 50 pupils. Since the start of this academic year there has been a further fall in numbers and in September 2020 the school had 6 pupils remaining on roll.

On 15 September 2020 the full governing body met to discuss the future of Kell Bank School CE VC Primary School. They resolved unanimously to ask NYCC to consult on the potential closure of the school from 31 August 2021 in light of the current pupil numbers and the lack of progress in achieving any alternative structural solutions.

The consultation will seek views on the proposal that in the event of closure the catchment area of Kell Bank CE VC Primary School would transfer and become part of an enlarged catchment area for Masham CE VA Primary School which is the nearest alternative school. The Diocese is aware of the current circumstances of the school and is supportive of the proposed consultation regarding both the closure and the catchment area change.

Under the arrangements agreed by The Executive on 25 September 2007, decisions to approve public consultation on school organisation proposals for which the decision maker is the Local Authority, will normally be taken by the Executive Members for Schools.