Agenda item

Recommendations:

i)               Statutory proposals and notices be published on 1 February proposing to cease to maintain Hovingham CE VC Primary School with effect from 31 March 2023.

ii)      The proposals include that from 1 April 2023 the parishes of Gilling East, Grimstone, Cawton and the smaller part of Coulton parish  which currently form a part of a shared catchment area between Hovingham CE and St Hilda’s CE will remain part of the St Hilda’s CE catchment area. The parish of Stonegrave which was part of the discrete catchment area for Hovingham CE would also become part of the St Hilda’s CE catchment area. The parish of Scackleton and the larger part of the parish of Coulton which were part of Hovingham’s discrete catchment area will become part of the catchment area for Terrington CE VA Primary School. The parish of Fryton and the larger part of Hovingham Parish which formed part of the Hovingham catchment area will become part of the catchment area for Slingsby Community Primary School.

iii)    The Executive schedule taking a final decision on these proposals on 21 March 2023.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service detailing the outcomes of the public consultation carried out by the County Council on the proposal to close Hovingham CE VC Primary School, and asking the Executive to authorise the publication of proposals and statutory notices on 3 February 2023, and to schedule taking a final decision on the proposal on 21 March 2023.

County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson introduced the report, detailing that in autumn 2022 at a governing body meeting of the Federation of Hovingham CE Primary School and St Hilda’s CE Primary School, it was agreed with regret and reluctance to ask the County Council to consult on closure proposals for Hovingham CE Primary School.

Stuart Carlton, Corporate Director for Children and Young People confirmed that there were no first or second preferences on applications, and although there were three lower placed applications, but it was high likely that these children would get their higher placed preferences, therefore there were no applications for the next academic year.

County Councillor Steve Mason said he understood the decision to consult on closure proposals given no pupils had made an application to enrol at the school for the next academic year, but noted the building was a gift to the community for educational purposes and did not want it to fall into disrepair. He also raised potential options for keeping the school going and asked for these considerations to be taken into account when it comes to making a final decision.

County Councillor George Jabbour thanked the Executive member for attending the public consultation meeting and detailed the work he had done on this matter the open morning to try and attract new pupils.

Resolved –

i)        Statutory proposals and notices be published on 3 February proposing to cease to maintain Hovingham CE VC Primary School with effect from 31 March 2023.

ii)       The proposals include that from 1 April 2023 the parishes of Gilling East, Grimstone, Cawton and the smaller part of Coulton parish which currently form a part of a shared catchment area between Hovingham CE and St Hilda’s CE will remain part of the St Hilda’s CE catchment area. The parish of Stonegrave which was part of the discrete catchment area for Hovingham CE would also become part of the St Hilda’s CE catchment area. The parish of Scackleton and the larger part of the parish of Coulton which were part of Hovingham’s discrete catchment area will become part of the catchment area for Terrington CE VA Primary School. The parish of Fryton and the larger part of Hovingham Parish which formed part of the Hovingham catchment area will become part of the catchment area for Slingsby Community Primary School.

iii)      The Executive schedule taking a final decision on these proposals on 21 March 2023.