Issue - meetings

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)    Give approval to publish statutory proposals and notices on 12 January 2026, jointly with the respective federated governing boards, for the following federated schools:

BAWB (Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton) Federation

i)               to close West Burton Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School from 31 March 2026.

ii)              to change the age range of Bainbridge Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary and Nursery School to 3 to 7 years from 1 September 2026

iii)             to change the age range of Askrigg Voluntary Controlled Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Federation

iv)             to change the age range of Reeth Community Primary School to 3 to 7 years from 1 September 2026.

v)              to change the age range of Gunnerside Methodist (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools

vi)             to change the age range of Spennithorne Church of England Primary School to 4 to 7 years from 1 September 2026.

vii)           to change the age range of Middleham Church of England (Voluntary) Aided Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

viii)          to change the category of Spennithorne Church of England School to Voluntary Aided from 1 September 2026.

The Synergy Schools Federation

ix)             to discontinue Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School from 13 April 2026

x)              to enlarge Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site from 13 April 2026.

2)    That the Executive schedule taking a final decision on these proposals on 17 March 2026.

3)    That subject to the final approval of the proposals in paragraph 19.1 above, the following home to school travel discretionary arrangements be approved:

i)               That the Council provides discretionary travel for children, already assessed as eligible for travel and on roll at schools on 1 September 2026, within the BAWB (Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton) Federation, Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Federation and The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE schools for the duration of their education at the schools within the federation, subject to there being no change in their circumstances.

ii)              That the Council approves through its discretion a ‘nearest gate in the federation’ policy for home school transport to Reeth and Gunnerside schools, which would be conditional upon the Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Federation continuing to provide support with inter-school transport where that is required. 

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service which detailed the outcomes arising from public consultation exercises that have been undertaken by the council at the request of four federated governing boards about proposals to change their school organisation arrangements.  It was recommended that Executive authorise the publication of statutory notices in respect of each of the proposals and schedule taking final decisions about the proposals on 17 March 2026.  The four federations were:

·         BAWB (Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton) Federation

·         Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Federation

·         The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools

·         The Synergy Schools Federation

The Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, provided details of the consultations which had taken place and advised that the outcomes had been broadly supportive of each of the proposals.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock spoke in support of the proposals for Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton.  She expressed disappointment at the proposed closure of West Burton Primary School, however overall the proposals would be of benefit to pupils.

Resolved (unanimously)

1)    That the Executive give approval to publish statutory proposals and notices on 12 January 2026, jointly with the respective federated governing boards, for the following federated schools:

BAWB (Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton) Federation

i)              to close West Burton Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School from 31 March 2026.

ii)             to change the age range of Bainbridge Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary and Nursery School to 3 to 7 years from 1 September 2026

iii)           to change the age range of Askrigg Voluntary Controlled Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Federation

iv)           to change the age range of Reeth Community Primary School to 3 to 7 years from 1 September 2026.

v)            to change the age range of Gunnerside Methodist (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools

vi)           to change the age range of Spennithorne Church of England Primary School to 4 to 7 years from 1 September 2026.

vii)          to change the age range of Middleham Church of England (Voluntary) Aided Primary School to 7 to 11 years from 1 September 2026.

viii)         to change the category of Spennithorne Church of England School to Voluntary Aided from 1 September 2026.

The Synergy Schools Federation

ix)           to discontinue Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School from 13 April 2026

x)            to enlarge Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site from 13 April 2026.

2)    That the Executive schedule taking a final decision on these proposals on 17 March 2026.

3)    That subject to the final approval of the proposals in paragraph 19.1 above, the following home to school travel discretionary arrangements be approved:

i)              That the Council provides discretionary travel for children, already assessed as eligible for travel and on roll at schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 808