A small North Yorkshire village school is facing closure after pupil numbers fell to just eight with only four children expected to remain next September.
The future of Bilsdale Midcable Chopgate Church of England Primary School, in Chop Gate near Stokesley, is in doubt after governors concluded that falling numbers and mounting financial pressures could make it impossible to keep the school open.
North Yorkshire Council is now considering launching a formal consultation on the school’s closure.
The school, which has capacity for 48 pupils, has just eight children on its roll, four of whom are in Year 6 and due to leave at the end of the academic year.
None of the current pupils lives within the school’s catchment area.
Forecasts suggest numbers could fall to just four in the 2027/28 academic year and three the following year.
Despite being rated ‘good’ by Ofsted at its most recent full inspection in November 2023, when it had 15 pupils, the school has struggled to attract enough children to secure its future.
Governors are concerned that the dwindling roll will make it increasingly difficult to provide the range of educational experiences and social opportunities children need.
The school is also facing a worsening financial position, with a budget deficit of £189,200 forecast by 2028/29.
Governors say there is no viable long-term recovery plan because so few school-age children live within the catchment area.
Local councillor Heather Moorhouse, who represents the Great Ayton division, which includes Chop Gate, said the potential closure would be a sad loss for the community.
She said: “It would be very sad.
“I was consulted on this issue, and the problems faced by the school are no detriment to the governors. They’ve had to do this — they had no other option.
“They’ve tried to join up with the school in Carlton to keep things going and done everything else they could, but there just isn’t the number of pupils.”
The school’s governing board has now asked North Yorkshire Council to consider beginning a formal consultation on its future.
The request will be considered on Tuesday, November 3, by the council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson.
If approved, a five-week public consultation would begin in November, allowing parents, residents and other interested parties to give their views on the proposed closure.
A public meeting would also be held.
Cllr Wilkinson said: “We recognise that rural schools are often at the heart of their communities, creating close-knit environments where children, families and staff build strong relationships.
“Any proposal affecting a village school is therefore considered very carefully, especially when deciding if public consultations should proceed.”
No final decision has yet been made on whether the school will close.
The consultation, if approved, would form part of the process of determining its future.
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