03/02/04 - Great Salkeld's Primary School recommended for closure

Following a 3 week deferral of the decision on the future of St Cuthbert’s CE VC Primary School so a report from a Parents Action Committee could be considered, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet today agreed to recommend the closure of the School.  The recommendation for closure with effect from the end of the summer term 2004, will be made to the county’s School Organisation Committee.  

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesman for Education says,

“Discussions about the school’s future took place 18 months ago between County Council officers and governor representatives.  This was because the number of pupils at the school was about to fall significantly.  At that time it was agreed that the school governors would try to raise the profile of the school thereby increasing its roll and averting any future problems.

Unfortunately, despite the Governors best efforts to attract more pupils, this did not happen.  Facing a further anticipated reduction in numbers next academic year, the governing body voted unanimously in September last year to ask the County Council to review the school’s future.  In line with its responsibilities and commitments set out in Cumbria’s School Organisation Plan, the Council agreed to the governors’ request.

Neither the governing body nor the Council want to see the school close if it can be made viable on a long-term basis and is able to offer the pupils a broad and balanced education.  Indeed the County Council has a policy of funding and supporting small schools.

However, there appears to be a general acceptance locally that future viability is dependant on an increased pupil roll.  Given the difficulty that has been experienced previously by the Governors in trying to increase the roll, it is hard to come to any conclusion other than the closure of the school to ensure that educational standards for children currently attending St Cuthbert’s are maintained.  That conclusion led to today’s decision to recommend closure of the school to the School Organisation Committee.  The County Council will be working with the Governors and the local community to secure the best outcome for the children of Great Salkeld.  There are a number of other local schools within a few miles of St Cuthbert’s, including Lazonby and Langwathby.  

A formal proposal is likely to be published by the Council at the end of this month.  The legal process allows for six weeks following publication of the proposal for statutory objections and other comments to be made.  Should objections be received, the matter would be referred to the School Organisation Committee for Cumbria, which normally has two months to consider the proposal.