Merger plan for village schools to secure future

Two village primary schools in North Yorkshire could be merged into a single school operating across both sites under a plan to secure their future.

The proposal would see the merger of Snape Community Primary School and Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School from April 2027.

Younger pupils would be taught at Snape and older children at Thornton Watlass, a report to be scrutinised by councillors has suggested.

The plans, drawn up by the schools' shared governing board, follow legal advice received by North Yorkshire Council that their current arrangements did not comply with legislation governing school admissions and pupil registration.

The two schools currently operate as a federation, sharing leadership and teaching arrangements to cope with falling pupil numbers.

However, the arrangement involves some children being taught at a school other than the one at which they are officially registered.

According to a report prepared for councillors, legal advice received in summer 2024 concluded this arrangement was not allowed.

The governing board has considered four alternative options, including continuing as separate schools, closing one site entirely or restructuring the schools into separate infant and junior schools.

It has recommended merging the schools while retaining both buildings.

Under the proposals, Snape Community Primary School would technically close, with Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School expanding to operate across both sites.

Nursery, reception and key stage one children would be educated at Snape, while pupils in years three to six would attend Thornton Watlass.

Children would normally move between the sites at the start of year three, although the school would retain flexibility to change arrangements depending on pupil numbers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council figures show that Snape has 28 pupils on roll with a capacity of 52, compared with just eight pupils on roll at Thornton Watlass with a capacity of 51.

A combined school is forecast to have 45 pupils by the 2028-29 academic year.

The governing board stated there were insufficient pupils to run separate classes covering all seven primary year groups at both schools without affecting the quality of education.

It said operating as one school across both sites was the most financially sustainable option.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for education is being asked to approve a six-week public consultation when the proposal is considered on Tuesday.

If approved, consultation would begin on 9 November and close on 18 December.

The council's executive is expected to consider the responses in January, with a final decision anticipated by the end of March.

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