ITEM 5

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

THE EXECUTIVE

30 APRIL 2019

PROPOSAL TO CEASE TO MAINTAIN CLAPHAM CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Report by the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.1 To report to the Executive the outcome of the public consultation carried out by the Children and Young People’s Service on a proposal to close Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

1.2 The report asks the Executive to consider the responses to the consultation, and determine whether;

i. the publication of statutory proposals should be authorised, and the final decision on the proposal be scheduled for 25 June 2019, to include that the catchment area of both Austwick CE VC Primary School and Bentham CP School be expanded to form a shared catchment area to cover that which is currently served by Clapham CE VC Primary School, OR

ii. the proposal to cease to maintain Clapham CE VC Primary School should be stopped to allow the Governing Body to implement their recovery plan

2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1 On 5 February 2019 Executive Members for the Children and Young People’s Service gave approval to progress a consultation on a proposed closure of Clapham CE VC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019. The report provided the full background and is attached as Appendix 1.

2.2 The proposal published for consideration was that the local authority would cease maintaining the school and that the catchment areas of both Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham Community Primary School would be extended to form a shared catchment area to serve the area currently served by Clapham CE Primary School.

2.3 The consultation commenced on 14 February 2019 and closed on 4 April 2019. This report details the responses to the consultation, provides new information which became available during the consultation period, and requests the Executive decide on the next steps as outlined above.

2.4 The report is supported by a number of Appendices as listed below:

Appendix 1: Report of Corporate Director Meeting with Executive Members – 5 February 2019 Appendix 2: Record of the public meeting Appendix 3: Responses to the consultation document Appendix 4: Response to the consultation from the Governing Body of Clapham CE VC Primary School Appendix 5: Response to the consultation by Clapham School Action Group Appendix 6: Revised Pupil Forecast Appendix 7: Equality Impact Assessment Appendix 8: Draft Statutory Notice Appendix 9: Draft Statutory Proposal

3.0 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

3.1 A consultation document was distributed to the list of consultees shown appended to the 5 February report. The document was also displayed on the websites of both Clapham CE VC Primary School and NYCC. The consultation period, which included a half term, ran from 14 February to 4 April 2019. The length of this consultation period was seven weeks to allow the recommended six weeks of term time.

3.2 A public meeting was held in the village hall of Clapham on 7 March. This was attended by 102 people. Following the public meeting the Clapham School Action Group was created by volunteers wishing to work alongside the Governing Body to look at ways in which the community could support the school.

3.3 The record of the public meeting is attached as Appendix 2.

3.4 By the closing date 226 individual consultation responses had been received and these are shown in full in Appendix 3. In addition there is a response from the Governing Body at Appendix 4, and a response from Clapham School Action Group at Appendix 5. A petition of 214 signatures was also submitted supporting the Governing Body’s recovery plan. Due to the level of responses received, and in order for them to be given full consideration, the report on this matter to the Executive was postponed to this meeting from the intended date of 16 April.

3.5 In addition to the written responses received, during the public meeting there were a number of concerns raised, particularly by residents.

3.6 The following section of the report addresses the main issues raised by respondents and the key areas of concern.

4.0 PUPIL NUMBERS AND HOUSING

4.1 NYCC receives data from Craven District Council which details all housing sites in supply, and estimated delivery rates over a 5 year period, for the first 5 years from adoption of the local plan, and for the remainder of the plan period up to 2032. Information relating to proposed housing is also received from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. This data is used to inform pupil forecasts but local knowledge on proposed housing outside that data is always welcomed.

4.2 The pupil forecast produced in January 2019 included a total of 14 outstanding housing permissions which excluded the Dalesview development in Clapham. During the consultation process and prior to the public meeting it became clear that the Dalesview development had not progressed to the position that was first thought. There are 12 dwellings not yet fully complete and a further three which are not yet under construction. The agent marketing the properties at Dalesview has however indicated that all dwellings will be complete by September 2019.

4.3 A number of responses referred to NYCC’s data on housing as being incorrect and following discussion with the Clapham Schools Action Group we have agreed a list of 31 outstanding housing permissions based on local knowledge and including Dalesview. A revised forecast based on this data has been produced (Appendix 6) and shows pupil forecasts, including known housing, for the next five years as follows;

2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 January 2019 26 23 24 24 24 forecast April 2019 forecast 26 25 28 29 30

Although the forecast based on normal methodology shows 3 pupils, plus 1 from outstanding permissions, starting in Reception in September 2019, the current situation is that there are no new starters for the new school year based on the national offer date of 16 April 2019. As such our expectation is that the number on roll for 2019/20 will be 22, notwithstanding any pupils who may possibly join the School if the closure process were to be halted.

4.4 Local knowledge has now provided information relating to a proposed future housing development by the Ingleborough Estate, information that Officers could not have been aware of prior to the start of the consultation process. This has now been factored into the above figures but as planning permission has not yet been granted there is some uncertainty, but local residents expect a potential development of around 11 dwellings. Using our pupil yield calculation this has the potential to provide an additional 3 pupils to Clapham Primary School.

4.5 Forecasts are regularly updated to take account of changing rolls, demographics and housing. A long-standing ratio of 1 primary-aged pupil from every 4 housing permissions is used to calculate the projected yield from future housing developments. This is tested periodically by assessing the actual number of pupils arising from developments in different parts of North Yorkshire. Whilst there is some variation from development to development the 1 to 4 (i.e. 25%) ratio is considered a realistic average on which to plan. The most recent such assessments have shown a range of 24.73% to 36.36%. In areas with an older demographic 25% may be an overestimate.

4.6 The forecasts produced by the Clapham School Action Group do still differ from that produced by NYCC. Clapham School Action Group have used a higher pupil yield and this is based on a commitment by the Ingleborough Estate, who are already landlords of a large number of houses in Clapham, to provide additional low cost rented housing to families with young children. They see this as a way of encouraging young families to move into the area and as such expect a higher pupil yield from those properties.

4.7 Children from housing developments do not always attend the local school. Only 56% of the primary aged pupils living in the Clapham catchment currently attend the school. The total number of primary aged children living in the catchment area and attending a North Yorkshire maintained school as at the October 2018 school census was 32. The actual number resident could be higher if there are primary aged children attending out-county schools, private schools or being electively home educated. The Clapham School Action Group believe that the issues that led to pupils being withdrawn from the school and families not choosing to send their children to the school have now been addressed by the current leadership. They are confident that recent changes will see a more positive effect with more children within the catchment area preferring to attend their local school.

5.0 CURRICULUM AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION

5.1 Outcomes

Pupil numbers in each year are very small and thus percentages are not meaningful. However over time patterns can be observed. Over the three year period 2016-18, the percentage of pupils attaining the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 is in line with the national average. However the percentage of pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths is well-below the national average.

5.2 Small schools

The small size of the school and the very small number of pupils in each year group limit the range of personal and academic challenges for pupils including opportunities for child-initiated play and interaction in early years.

The Ofsted Education Inspection Framework that will be introduced in September 2019 places significant weight on curriculum provision. Delivering a curriculum that has ‘breadth and ambition’ is going to be a particular challenge for a very small school.

5.3 Ofsted

The last Ofsted inspection was carried out in May 2011 when the school had 35 children on roll. The school was rated Outstanding at the time. It is the view of Local Authority Advisers that if it were to be inspected again, given the heightened emphasis on curriculum and pupil progress in the current and forthcoming inspection frameworks, the School would not retain the Outstanding judgement.

6.0 FINANCE

6.1 The report of 5 February to Executive Members set out the schools projected financial position and showed in year deficits of £28k in 2019/20 and £47k in 2020/21, and a cumulative deficit of £102k by the end of that year. These were based on pupil assumptions of 27 in 2019/20 and 21 in 2020/21. At the time the Governing Body acknowledged that they were not in a position to submit a balanced budget for the year 2018/19, or produce a feasible recovery plan to address the cumulative deficit position.

6.2 A review of pupil numbers and models of provision has led the Governing Body to produce a revised revenue forecast showing the school returning to an in year surplus by 2022/23. This shows a cumulative deficit, without community support, of £56,961 by the end of financial year 2020/21. The Action Group believe that with community support, the cumulative deficit will be reduced to £23,846 by the end of 2020/21 and will be fully eliminated within a maximum of 10 years.

6.3 The full response to the consultation from the Governing Body can be found at Appendix 4 and Finance is covered in pages 11-13 of this.

6.4 The revised financial forecast has been reviewed by Local Authority Finance Officers and some of the observations received include that ‘Other Income’ appears to be overstated by approximately £3.5k per annum for the 2019/20 – 2022/23 financial years. It is suspected that Governors have based the ‘Other Income’ projection on the existing 2018/19 level. This includes some non- recurring items and some reimbursements with related expenditure. The related expenditure has not been included in their forecast. The 2018/19 level includes staff absence insurance income, plus trips, reimbursed resources and sports club which are not recurring items of income, and will also have expenditure to offset them within staffing, learning resources, or supplies and services.

6.5 Premises Costs also appear to be understated by approx. £6.2k per annum for the 2019/20 – 2022/23 financial years. It appears that the Governors have not considered the full year impact of the charge for the caretaking and cleaning contract. The school moved from employing their own caretaker and cleaners to a caretaking and cleaning contract from September 2018. In this regard the costs for 2018/19 financial year are split between the Other Employees budget heading and the Premises budget heading, with the Premises budget heading only including 7/12 of the contract cost for 2018/19. The financial forecast presented by Governors includes the correct lower costs for Other Employees for 2019/20 and subsequent years, however the costs included in the financial forecast related to Premises for 2019/20 and subsequent years are carried forward at the 2018/19 level which does not reflect the full year cost of the caretaking and cleaning contract resulting in an understatement of costs of approx. £6.2k per annum.

6.6 With the alternative ‘Other Costs’ and ‘Premises Costs’ being factored in, the result in the forecast cumulative deficit at the end of 2022/23 would be approximately £53k rather than the £14.3k stated. It is also worth noting that the 2022/23 position is based on an assumption by the Governing Body of 36 pupils on roll.

6.7 The Clapham Education Trust has been established by members of the community with the aim of making donations so that the cumulative deficit does not increase and will gradually recover if the school were to remain open. If donations are used wholly or partly to fund the core duties of the School careful consideration needs to be given in order to ensure the donations are voluntary and unconditional. The Trust also envisages running the Clapham School Clubs which will include a before and after school club and a playgroup in the hope that they will make the school more attractive to parents. The clubs being delivered through the Trust, will transfer the financial risk away from the Governing Body’s recovery plan. Further details on the Clapham Education Trust can be found within the response submitted by the Clapham School Action Group in Appendix 5 at section 5.

6.8 In working alongside the Clapham School Action Group, the Governing Body have now established a position from which they feel able to present new models of provision that open up the possibility of a feasible recovery plan and a sustainable future for the school.

6.9 Some consultees suggested that the closure of small rural schools was part of an ongoing programme connected with financial difficulties facing the Council. The County Council is in a robust financial position and has no ongoing programme of school closures. Where rural schools have closed, these have been due to specific issues, often related to declining pupil numbers. When a small school closes there are no financial benefits to the County Council. However, when a school closes, the usual consequence is that there is a negative impact on the County Council financially through increased home to school transport costs. In this case, it is estimated that there would be additional home to school transport costs in the range of £18,000 to £38,000 each year, dependant on the pattern of parental preference to alternative schools, and the mix of transport provision that would be required.

7.0 LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

7.1 There is currently no substantive Headteacher. The Governing Body at Greatwood CP School have been supportive in agreeing to their Deputy Head teacher taking on an acting headship role at Clapham on a temporary basis. In line with the memorandum of understanding the Acting Head teacher intends to return to her substantive post at the end of this academic year. Therefore, at present, the school has no identified Headteacher for September 2019.

7.2 The Governing Body acknowledge that in order to improve standards, retain pupils, and move forward with offers from the wider community there will be a need to recruit an excellent Headteacher. They view a full time Head teacher as an integral part of their recovery plan and propose an initial two year fixed term contract followed by an Executive Head teacher and subsequent federation in later years. In their response they have also proposed a number of measures to improve Governance to include a regular and robust programme of Governor training, with individual Governors taking responsibility for specific core areas of the curriculum.

7.3 The concern from the local authority is that past attempts to recruit a substantive Headteacher, albeit an Executive Headteacher at that time, have not proved possible despite significant efforts from the Governing Body, LA officers and the Diocese. Should Members decide to halt the closure process the Governing Body would be offered every support to achieve their aim of securing a 2 year leadership appointment effective from September 2019.

7.4 Federation and Executive Headteacher

The submissions by both the Governing Board and the Clapham School Action Group recognise that revisiting Federation in future would be key to securing the long term educational and financial viability of the school. The LA and Diocese would support this approach as it does with all of our small schools. Federation efficiencies do not always guarantee financial sustainability but the collaboration it brings always helps with maintaining a suitable quality and breadth of education provision.

7.5 LA officers and the Diocese have previously had conversations with schools both locally and in neighbouring counties but to date, no other school has come forward that would be prepared to share a Headteacher or to federate with Clapham CE. Federation is a decision for individual school governing bodies and cannot be imposed by the County Council. Again should Members decide to halt the closure process the Governing Body would be offered every support at the appropriate time to try and secure an appropriate Federation in accordance with their recovery plan, however this would be dependent on a willing partner school.

8.0 IMPACT OF CLOSURE

8.1 A clear concern within many of the consultation responses is the impact of closure upon the community. The village store sees much of its trade coming from parents, carers and children coming to the store before and after the school day, as well as the immediate loss of the school account. It suggests that closure of the school would potentially reduce their contact with families and potentially put the future of the shop at risk. The community run village store is an example of the positive contribution made by the community to keep a valuable service running with a huge amount of volunteer input.

8.2 Clapham School Action Group highlights a programme of rejuvenation already underway in Clapham which has seen the community benefit from the installation of Broadband for the Rural North which is hoped will provide a strong incentive for businesses to relocate to the area. The development of the Ingleborough Estate to provide additional family homes, along with existing permissions for new residential development should also contribute to the regeneration of the parish and in turn support the future of the school. The estate sees the school as important for encouraging young families into the area.

8.3 Elderly residents in the parish currently visit the school each month for lunch, organised by Age UK. Members of the community have also delivered a series of ‘lectures’ at the school. The Clapham School Action Group state that the school ICT suite was opened with the benefit of reducing the number of people in the community who suffer from digital exclusion. In some communities the school is the only meeting space. However, at Clapham, there is a Village Hall, Reading Room, the Bethel Chapel, and St James’ Church. These could provide venues for the community activities that are currently taking place in the school building. Public internet and computer access and help and support using IT is available at Ingleton and Bentham libraries.

8.4 It is noted that both Craven District Council and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have stated their aim to try and halt the decline in numbers of younger, working age people across the Dales. Their proposals focus on building more affordable housing, creating jobs, and improving access to key services to promote the area as a place for younger people to live. Equally the County Council is of course keen to play our part to try and positively influence the underlying reasons which have regrettably led to a small number of school closures. Although it is to be welcomed that the community and planning authorities in this area wish to encourage economic development including further housing there is no evidence to date that in the short-term the scale of this housing will lead to significant numbers of additional children on roll at the School to ensure its sustainability. Whilst the impact on the wider economic and social sustainability of the community is an important consideration, the key consideration is to determine whether the proposal is in the best interests of children’s education.

9.0 CATCHMENT AREA

9.1 The consultation document suggested the catchment areas of both Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham CP School should be extended to include the current catchment area of Clapham. Only a few consultees responded on this matter and there does not appear to be a consensus of opinion that gives a clear indication of preference. The response from Ingleton Primary School suggests a three way share of the catchment area to include Ingleton. Bentham CP School would like to see their catchment area alone being extended to serve the Clapham area. All local schools have indicated a willingness to admit children from Clapham as far as their capacity enables them to do so.

9.2 Concern has been raised around Austwick CE VA Primary School’s capacity to admit children from Clapham, should that be parent’s first choice of school. Austwick currently has a capacity of 56 but has potential to increase to 79 with some changes to room usage and their Published Admission Number.

9.3 The Clapham School Action Group has talked to parents, and submitted in their response, that Settle CE VC Primary School would be parents’ preferred second choice of school after Austwick. In looking to designate a school to serve the catchment area the geographical proximity should be considered. Settle CE Primary School does not share a border with Clapham and for that reason the LA would not support expanding its catchment to include the area of Clapham.

9.3 Should continuation of the closure proposal be approved, the recommendation to Executive would be to include Austwick CE VA Primary and Bentham CP School within the statutory proposals to cover the catchment area of Clapham CE VC Primary School. This would provide all stakeholders with a further opportunity to comment on this specific element of the proposal.

10.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

10.1 The School Organisation Regulations and Guidance1 cover the processes involved in school closures. Careful regard has been given to these provisions.

10.2 Clapham CE VC Primary School is designated as a rural school under the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order. The School Organisation regulations and guidance contain a presumption against closure of rural schools, and it is a requirement that proposers must consider the effect of the discontinuance of any rural primary school on the local community. The statutory guidance specifically states that ‘This does not mean that a rural school will never close, but the case for closure should be strong and a proposal must be clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.’ The guidance states that when producing a proposal, the proposer must carefully consider:

o the likely effect of the closure of the school on the local community; o the proportion of pupils attending the school from within the local community i.e. is the school being used by the local community;

1 School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013 and Department for Education statutory guidance Opening and closing maintained schools 2018 o educational standards at the school and the likely effect on standards at neighbouring schools; o the availability, and likely cost to the LA, of transport to other schools; o whether the school is now surplus to requirements (e.g. because there are surplus places elsewhere in the local area which can accommodate displaced pupils, and there is no predicted demand for the school in the medium or long term); o any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the closure of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase; and o any alternatives to the closure of the school.

These factors are considered in the draft statutory proposal, attached as Appendix 10. The potential impact on the community has been outlined in section 8 above. The key points in relation to transport are: If the school closed, there would be a potential additional cost of £## to the Local Authority in providing transport to other schools. It is not considered that there would be significant additional car use if the school were closed. Some parents may choose to use their own transport but children in the catchment area are already travelling privately to alternative schools.

11.0 HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS

11.1 There are no Human Rights issues in relation to this decision.

12.0 OTHER IMPLICATIONS

An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken in respect of a closure proposal and is attached at Appendix 8.

13.0 NEXT STEPS

13.1 Should the decision be to publish statutory proposals to cease to maintain Clapham CE VC Primary School the proposed timetable would be:

Executive decision to publish 30 April 2019 statutory notices (if approved the following timetable would apply) Statutory Notices published (4 weeks Thursday 16 May 2019 for representations to be made) Representation period starts 16 May 2019 Representation period ends 13 June 2019 Final decision by County Council’s 25 June 2019 Executive or Executive Member Implementation of closure 31 August 2019

13.2 If the decision is to not proceed with the closure process then the Governing Body would be asked to implement their recovery plan and a formal review of the position be scheduled for the end of the spring term 2020. This would be joint review between the Governing Body (supported by Clapham School Action Group as they feel appropriate), the LA Officers and the Diocese.

14.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

14.1 That the Executive consider the responses to the consultation, and determine whether; i. the publication of statutory proposals should be authorised, and the final decision on the proposal be scheduled for 25 June 2019, to include that the catchment area of both Austwick CE VC Primary School and Bentham CP School be expanded to form a shared catchment area to cover that which is currently served by Clapham CE VC Primary School, OR ii. the proposal to cease to maintain Clapham CE VC Primary School should be stopped to allow the Governing Body to implement their recovery plan

Stuart Carlton Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service

Report prepared by Julia Temple, Strategic Planning Team

List of Appendices:

Appendix 1: Report of Corporate Director Meeting with Executive Members – 5 February 2019 Appendix 2: Record of the public meeting Appendix 3: Responses to the consultation document Appendix 4: Response to the consultation from the Governing Body of Clapham CE VC Primary School Appendix 5: Response to the consultation by Clapham School Action Group Appendix 6: Revised Pupil Forecast Appendix 7: Equality Impact Assessment Appendix 8: Draft Statutory Notice Appendix 9: Draft Statutory Proposal

Appendix 1

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE

CORPORATE DIRECTOR MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

5 February 2019

Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To seek approval to consult on a proposal that the County Council should cease to maintain Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019.

2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1 Clapham Church of England VC Primary School is a 3-11 voluntary controlled primary school located in the rural area of North Craven and serves families living in the village of Clapham and the surrounding area. It can accommodate up to 59 children and has a published admission number of 8.

2.2 Pupil numbers at the school have been falling, reducing from 42 on roll in 2014/15 to the current level of 28. The recent drop in numbers at the school has increased concern around the financial sustainability of the school and its ability to continue providing good quality education.

2.3 In 2009 Clapham CE VC Primary School confederated with two other small schools, Austwick CE VA Primary and Horton in Ribblesdale CE VA Primary. The three schools shared a Headteacher up until the end of December 2015 when all three Governing Bodies decided to formally end the collaboration. The Governing Body then appointed a new Headteacher who continued in post until his resignation in 2018. There is currently no substantive Headteacher in post at the school. The LA has secured an acting headteacher from another school who has agreed to continue in post until the end of the current academic year.

2.4 Low pupil numbers have led to the school being in a financial deficit position, and unable to afford its own Headteacher. Despite numerous attempts by the LA to secure a shared headship arrangement with another school, this has not been successful.

2.5 At a meeting on the 29 November 2018, the Governing Body of Clapham CE VC Primary School reluctantly voted to seek to consult on closure proposals. The Governing Body has requested that the County Council begin consulting on a proposal to close the school at the end of the academic year.

2.6 There are four key concerns; low pupil numbers, breadth of curriculum, financial position, and school leadership.

3.0 PUPIL NUMBERS

3.1 The number of children at Clapham CE VC Primary School has been falling over the past few years. By the beginning January 2019, there were just 28 pupils on roll in the school and these are projected to fall to just 22 by September 2020. This is well below the capacity of the school – which is designed to accommodate up to 59 pupils if all spaces are in use. Forecasts indicate that these numbers will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce further still in the following years as the larger year groups move into secondary education.

3.2 In September 2012, as part of the North Craven Education Review, the middle school provision in North Craven ended. As a result Clapham CE VC Primary School increased its age range to include 11 year olds. For a short time this led to an increase in pupil numbers, however, since 2014 numbers on roll have been falling gradually despite its outstanding Ofsted judgement in May 2011.

3.3 The current and past numbers in each year group at the school are:

2013/14 2014/152015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Reception 5 5 2 5 3 2 Year 1 9 7 3 2 5 3 Year 2 2 10 6 2 2 4 Year 3 3 3 11 6 3 4 Year 4 7 4 4 9 5 3 Year 5 6 7 6 4 6 6 Year 6 8 6 7 6 3 6 Total 40 42 39 34 27 28

3.4 A pupil forecast is attached at Appendix 1. It is based on our standard methodology and predicts no more than three new Reception aged starters in 2019/20.This combined with the progressive reduction in existing year groups results in a forecast total roll by 2020/21 of just 22 pupils.

4.0 BREADTH OF CURRICULUM

4.1 As pupil numbers fall, it is increasingly difficult to provide the remaining pupils with access to the full range of experiences they need, particularly opportunities for working and playing with children their own age. The opportunities for children to work in groups together, learn from, and play with each other are very limited.

4.2 The last full Ofsted inspection was in May 2011 and was judged as being outstanding. At the time of the inspection there were 35 pupils on roll with an age range of 4-10. Pupils would then transfer to a middle school at the end of year five. LA officers have the view that if the school were to be inspected again, it would not be able to retain the existing outstanding judgement.

5.0 THE FINANCIAL POSITION

5.1 Pupil numbers determine the school budget. The school has overwhelming challenges in managing its budget faced with such low numbers. As a result of a reduced budget the school may have to further reduce staff.

5.2 Examination of the predicted financial position has led to concerns about the schools ability to preserve the quality of education. The school is projecting in year deficits of £28k in 2019/20 and £47k in 2020/21, and a cumulative deficit of £102k by the end of that year. These were based on pupil assumptions of 27 in 2019/20 and 21 in 2020/21, so the position will deteriorate further as pupil numbers fall with no reasonable prospect of recovery.

5.3 The school’s projected financial position based on current staffing structures is attached at Appendix 2.

5.4 The local authority’s ability to support schools experiencing financial difficulties is now limited and small schools became vulnerable following the introduction of a national funding formula which is largely driven by pupil numbers.

6.0 LEADERSHIP

6.1 There is no substantive Headteacher and the current interim arrangement will cease at the end of the summer term. Despite a number of attempts to recruit a substantive Headteacher this has not proved possible. LA officers and the Diocese have had conversations with schools both locally and in neighbouring County’s but have not been able to identify another school that would be prepared to share a Headteacher. Without secure leadership the school’s standards are at risk.

7.0 PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES IN THE LOCAL AREA

7.1 There are four other North Yorkshire primary schools within reasonable travelling distance with places available currently, shown in Appendix 3. Across the area there are places available for all the pupils currently at Clapham CE VC Primary School. The nearest Church of England school is Austwick CE VA Primary School which is 2 miles from Clapham by road and also holds an Outstanding Ofsted judgement. There is also Ingleton Primary School which is 4.7 miles from Clapham, Bentham CP School at 5.5 miles and Giggleswick Primary School at 5.8 miles away, all of which were rated Good in their last Ofsted inspections.

7.2 It is proposed that the catchment areas of Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham CP School are expanded to include the current catchment area of Clapham. These schools both have capacity to take some additional pupils and have indicated a willingness to do so. Consultees would be invited to comment on the future arrangements for Clapham School catchment area.

7.3 Parents will be able to express a preference for any local school and if there are places available they will be accepted. Schools may agree to accept local children above their admission number.

8.0 PROPOSAL FOR CLOSURE

8.1 In the light of the above information it is proposed that consultation should be undertaken on the closure of Clapham CE VC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019. This would mean that the school would close to pupils at the beginning of the summer holidays in July 2019.

8.2 There are a number of other local schools and existing parents would be assisted to find alternative places for their children. Parents will be able to express a preference for any local school and if there are places they will be accepted.

8.3 Parents will also be reminded of the County Council’s home to school transport policy when considering alternative schools. Pupils up to the age of 8 would normally be eligible for free home to school transport if they live more than 2 miles from their normal area school (or 3 miles for those over the age of 8). Parents can always express a preference for a school other than their normal area school, however, they would usually be responsible for making transport arrangements. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the child’s home address.

9.0 PROCESS AND TIMESCALE

9.1 It is proposed to initiate a consultation on 12 February for a period of six term time weeks. A draft consultation document is attached at Appendix 4. It is proposed to hold a public meeting at the school in March 2019 on a date to be confirmed. The views of a range of stakeholders will be invited. The consultation will close on 4 April.

9.2 As the school is a voluntary controlled primary school maintained by the local authority the decision to publish statutory notices will be taken by the Executive at the end of the consultation period. All responses to the consultation will be made available to members.

9.3 The final decision on closure will be taken by the Executive (or by the Executive Member for Schools if there are no objections during the representation period).

9.4 The key dates are shown below:

Approval to consult 5 February 2019 Consultation opens Tuesday 12 February 2019 Public meeting at the school March 2019 Consultation closes Thursday 4th April 2019 Executive decision to publish 16 April 2019 statutory notices (if approved the following timetable would apply) Statutory Notices published (4 weeks Thursday 2 May 2019 for representations to be made) Representation period starts 2 May 2019 Representation period ends 30 May 2019 Final decision by County Council’s 25 June 2019 Executive or Executive Member Implementation of closure 31 August 2019

10.0 RECOMMENDATION

10.1 It is recommended that approval be given to commence consultation on the proposal that the County Council will cease to maintain Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019.

CORPORATE DIRECTOR – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE.

Report prepared by Andrew Dixon, Strategic Planning Manager

Action Agreed ……………………………………………..Executive Member Date: 5 February 2019

Action Requested ……………………………………………..Corporate Director Date: 5 February 2019

Appendix 1 – Pupil forecast Appendix 2 – Financial forecast Appendix 3 – Local school details Appendix 4 – Draft consultation document DfE Number 3234 Previous DfE No 0 School: Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Pupils as at JANUARY 2019 Academy Trust 0 Diocesan Area: Strategic Planning Live births % MigrationWorkings District: Church Schools SCAP Locality: County Councillor/s:PAN 2018/19 Lead Adviser Officer: only Leeds Diocese North Craven Outer Actual: 0.72 0 Mig. -0.33 Craven Julia Temple David Ireton Matt Blyton (CE) Area 8 Age Local MP Julian Smith MP 36UB 3 to 11 8151322 Federated with Not applicable Range Urban/Rural NameRural village in a sparse setting URN 121557

School Year 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 31/32 32/33 33/34 34/35

Live Births & 476 461 450 454 469 464 458 458 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 431 427 424 422 420 420 420 forecast births

% actual live 1.05 0.65 0.44 births from 4+ 5 5 25323333333333333 3 3 3 5+ 9732532333333333333 3 3 3 6+ 21062243233333333333 3 3 3 7+ 33116344323333333333 3 3 3 8+ 7449534432333333333 3 3 3 9+ 6764663443233333333 3 3 3 10+ 8676366344323333333 3 3 3 Total 40 42 39 34 27 28 25 22 22 21 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

Housing Notes Number

Permissions 5 yr 14 4 Housing yield - Outstanding Permissions 1123444444444 4 4 4

Forecast with outstanding permissions (with 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 rounding)

Unapproved 7 yr 0 0 Housing yield - Unapproved applications 0000000000000 0 0 0 applications

Forecast with OP and Un Apps (with rounding) 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Housing yield - Local Plan / current unapproved Local Plan 15 yr plan 0 0 0000000000000 0 0 0 applications (with rounding)

Total rounded 14 4 Total forecast inc. housing yield (with rounding) 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Net Capacity 56 IAN 8 Y2 16/17 8 Y5 13/14 10 Number of North Yorks pupils living within catchment*** (2018/19) 32 Maximum Workplaces 59 PANs R 18/19 8 Y3 15/16 10 Y6 12/13 10 Number of pupils attending from within catchment (2018/19) 18 Academy Funding Agreement #N/A Y1 17/18 8 Y4 14/15 10 19/20 8 Number of pupils from within catchment attending other North York Schs (2018/19) 14 FT N1 0 N2 0 FTE 0 Attending above school from other school catchment areas**** (2018/19) 10 Nursery age pupils currently attending school PT N1 0 N2 3 FTE 1.5 *** This may include a shared area **** This may include out of county REVENUE FINANCIAL FORECAST

School Name: Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School DFE No.: 3234 Revenue Financial Forecast: 2018/19 to 2020/21 Version: Submit / Current / Waiting for Authorization Version Name: 2018 19 Revised Forecast Version Description: Employee: 2018 19 Revised Forecast, Funding: 2018 19 Revised Forecast 4, Other I/E: 2018 19 Revised Forecast 5

1. REVENUE FINANCIAL FORECAST (based on pupil and staff number assumptions detailed below) 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year £'000 £'000 £'000 a) Income Funds Delegated by The LEA 213.7 216.4 199.8 Funding for 6th Form Students 0.0 0.0 0.0 SEN Funding 6.4 6.4 6.4 Pupil Premium 1.3 1.3 1.3 Other Income 33.0 31.4 31.4 Community Focused Extended School Income 0.2 0.0 0.0 Total Income 254.6 255.5 238.9 b) Expenditure Teaching Staff 117.6 121.7 124.4 Supply Teachers 6.5 2.0 2.0 Techs/Teaching Staff Support 37.6 40.5 40.4 Admin and Clerical Staff 23.1 17.0 17.0 Other Employees Costs/Expense 19.2 11.1 11.0 Premises Costs 27.9 33.5 33.5 Learning Resources 26.9 25.9 25.9 Supplies and Services 30.9 31.9 31.9 Capital Financing From Revenue 0.0 0.0 0.0 Community Focused Extended School Costs 0.4 0.0 0.0 Total Expenditure 290.1 283.6 286.2 c) Summary Position In Year Position -35.5 -28.1 -47.3 Balance Brought Forward 8.7 -26.8 -54.9 Balance carried forward -26.8 -54.9 -102.2 2. BALANCE INFORMATION General School Revenue Balance -26.5 -54.6 -101.9 Extended School Balance(Community Focused) -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 School Revenue Balance Percentage(%) -12.23 -24.83 -50.11 3. PUPIL NUMBER ASSUMPTIONS

2017 Census, 2018 Census, 2019 Census, 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Funding Funding Funding Reception 4.00 2.00 0.00 Year 1 4.00 3.00 2.00 Year 2 2.00 4.00 3.00 Year 3 3.00 3.00 4.00 Year 4 4.00 3.00 3.00 Year 5 6.00 6.00 3.00 Year 6 3.00 6.00 6.00 Totals 26.00 27.00 21.00 Total Main School 26.0 27.0 21.0 Total Sixth Form 0.0 0.0 0.0 Number of classes 2.0 2.0 2.0

Date: 03/01/2019 11:04:11 AM Page No: 1 Of 4 REVENUE FINANCIAL FORECAST

4. STAFFING ASSUMPTIONS

2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 a) Teaching Staff(full time equivalent) April 2.6 2.5 2.5 September 2.5 2.5 2.5 January 2.5 2.5 2.5 b) Technicians(hours per week) April 0.0 0.0 0.0 September 0.0 0.0 0.0 January 0.0 0.0 0.0 c) Admin and Clerical Staff(hours per week) April 33.6 32.0 32.0 September 65.6 32.0 32.0 January 32.0 32.0 32.0 d) Teaching Support Staff(hours per week) April 79.8 70.2 70.2 September 71.8 70.2 70.2 January 70.2 70.2 70.2 e) SEN Teaching Support Staff(hours per week) April 0.0 0.0 0.0 September 0.0 0.0 0.0 January 0.0 0.0 0.0

5. KEY BENCH MARKING INDICATORS

Pupil:Teacher Ratio(as at April) 10.0 10.8 8.4 Average Class Size (as per No. of classes) 13.0 13.5 10.5 Classes:Teachers Ratio(as at April) 0.77 0.80 0.80

6. OTHER KEY ASSUMPTIONS/INFORMATION

Date: 03/01/2019 11:04:11 AM Page No: 2 Of 4 REVENUE FINANCIAL FORECAST

Funding- The 2018/19 and 2019/20 years are based on the soft implementation of the National Funding Formula (NFF). The 2020/21 year has been calculated on the same basis and would be subject to change should the DfE move to the full implementation of the NFF. Support Staff - Estimated pay awards based on the Employer's offer have been included for April 2018 & April 2019. Teaching Staff - Teachers salaries have been updated with the new agreed increases for September 2018, there is also a 2% increase included for September 2019 across all teaching salary ranges and allowances.

2018 19 based on Section 251 funding, 2019 20 based on October census for pupil numbers. Note: there are currently 3 ongoing consultations regarding the level at which MFG protection is set, the level of transfer of funding for High Needs SEN & the allocation of exceptional element 2 SEND funding. This forecast presumes the impact of the worse case scenario for Clapham on the outcome of these consultations.

Early years: Summer 2018 only 39 hpw £3.98 then ceased Nursery provision

SEN funding for one EHCP - presumed will continue & at same level but note comments above regarding consultations

Pupil Premium: One FSM6 pupil. Expenditure within E03 staffing for intervention work plus £300 for resources E19/3380

Sports Grant: £16,000 lump sum plus £10 per pupil Y1-Y6. Expenditure £2300 towards Lunchtime Activity Leader & balance in Learning Resources for coaching, resources, transport

Extended Schools: Summer 2018 only then ceased

Teaching Staffing: 2.6 FTE Summer 2018 then 2.52 FTE from September (1.0 Headteacher plus 1.52 Teaching staff)

Support staff:- Summer 2018: GTA: 44 hpw GTA SEN 27.5 hpw ATA: 1.5 hpw HLTA: 6.75 hpw Autumn 2018 onwards: GTA 33 hpw GTA SEN 30.5 hpw only HLTA 6.75 hpw

MSA: Summer 2018: 9 hpw Autumn 2018 onwards: 5.5 hpw including Activity leader (some MSA cover included in TA hours above re SEN)

Admin: Summer 2018 Band 32 hpw plus clerk.then 32 hpw Autumn onwards

Notes:

‡Presumed income/expenditure matches for budget purposes although shortfalls will need to be met from School Fund / PTA / other income per discussions at start budget. ‡Pay awards: Presumed 2% on all Teaching staff from Sept 2018 ‡No allowance for employers superannuation contribution in future years but possibility of grant funding ±if not received then will be an impact on the budget ‡Non teaching staff ±increased included for April 2018 & April 2019 but not for the impact of the new grading structure from April 2019. ‡Likely to be increases in other Traded Services (cleaning etc) but no allowance built in at this stage

7. ANALYSIS OF MAIN VARIATIONS SINCE LAST FORECAST

2018/19 2019/20£ 2020/21£ £'000 '000 '000 In year revenue position as above -35.5 -28.1 -47.3

In year revenue position reported to Governors on: 22/05/2018 -7.7 23.8 3.9

Variances -27.8 -51.9 -51.2

Analysis of main variances:

Start budget had presumed restructure of staffing including Executive Headteacher from September 2018 & non teaching staff restructure. Admin & part of TA restructure taken place but not fully implemented.

Date: 03/01/2019 11:04:11 AM Page No: 3 Of 4 REVENUE FINANCIAL FORECAST

CAPITAL SUMMARY

Capital Financial Forecast: 2018/19 to 2020/21 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year £'000 £'000 £'000 1. CAPITAL FINANCIAL FORECAST a) Income CI01 Capital Income 4.4 4.4 4.4 CI03 Private Income 0.0 0.0 0.0 CI04 Revenue Financing 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total Income 4.4 4.4 4.4 b) Expenditure CE01 Acquisition of Land & Existing Buildings 0.0 0.0 0.0 CE02 New Construction, Conversion & Renovation 0.0 0.0 0.0 CE03 Vehicles, Plant, Equipment & Machinery 0.0 0.0 0.0 CE04 ICT 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total Expenditure 0.0 0.0 0.0 c) Summary Position In Year Position 4.4 4.4 4.4 OB03 Balance Brought Forward 2.6 7.0 11.4 Balance carried forward 7.0 11.4 15.8

2. INFORMATION REGARDING CAPITAL BALANCES/PROJECTS B03 DEVOLVED FORMULA CAPITAL 7.0 11.4 15.8 B04 OTHER STDS.FUND CAPITAL BAL 0.0 0.0 0.0 B05 OTHER CAPITAL BALANCES 0.0 0.0 0.0

Date: 03/01/2019 11:04:12 AM Page No: 4 Of 4 Appendix 3 Clapham CE Austwick CE Ingleton Primary Bentham CP Giggleswick Primary Long Preston VA

Distance from Clapham CE School NA 2.0 miles 4.7 miles 5.5 miles 5.8 miles 9.7 miles by road

Last Ofsted Outstanding Outstanding Good Good Good Good Inspection June 2011 May 2011 June 2016 March 2016 January 2017 February 2017

Net Capacity (places available at 56 56 180 147 90 84 the school) Current Pupil Roll 27 51 164 119 66 67

Current Capacity +29 +5 +16 +28 +24 +17 ‐/ + Pupil Roll 2019/20 24 61 169 111 55 60 Pupil Roll 2020/21 21 64 173 108 53 55 Pupil Roll 2021/22 21 66 169 108 54 56 Pupil Roll 2022/23 21 69 174 106 49 51 Pupil Roll 2023/34 20 70 171 108 47 52 Potential additional pupils from housing* Pupils from outstanding 3 0 11 11 2 2 permissions by 2022/23 Potential pupils from future housing – 0 0 30 124 9 0 Local Plan (over 15 years) *Based on 1 primary‐aged pupil from every 4 houses

APPENDIX 4

Consultation Document

Proposal to close Clapham Church of England

Voluntary Controlled Primary School

from 31 August 2019

Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

12 February 2019

This paper sets out details of a proposal to close Clapham CE VC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019. It gives the background to the proposal. There will be a public meeting on: ## March at 6.00pm at Clapham CE VC Primary School, Lancaster, LA2 8EJ

The Current Position a headteacher up until the end of December 2015 when all three At a meeting on 29 November 2018 Governing Bodies decided to formally the Governing Body of Clapham end the collaboration. The Governing Church of England Voluntary Body then appointed a new Controlled Primary School voted to seek to consult on the school’s Headteacher who continued in post closure. The governing body has until 2018. There is currently no requested that the County Council substantive headteacher in post at the begin consulting on a proposal to close school. The LA has secured an acting the school at the end of the current headteacher who has agreed to academic year. The Local Authority continue in post until the end of the and the Diocese agree that this is in current academic year. the best interests of current and future pupils from Clapham because Low pupil numbers have led to the numbers have fallen to a level where it will be difficult to provide a high quality school being in a financial deficit of education for pupils in the long term. position, and unable to afford its own The County Council is therefore now Headteacher. Despite numerous consulting on the proposal to close the attempts by the LA to secure a shared school with effect from 31 August headship arrangement with another 2019. school, this has not been successful.

The LA, Diocese, and the Governing There are four key concerns: 1) Low Body of Clapham CE VC Primary pupil numbers; 2) Breadth of School have not reached this decision curriculum, 3) The schools financial lightly and have considered a number position, and 4) Leadership of other alternatives, including federation with other local schools. The critical concern is the fall in pupil numbers, which would inevitably result Background in an inability to provide the necessary breadth of curriculum experience and In 2009 Clapham CE VC Primary would also irrevocably undermine the School confederated with two other schools future financial position. small schools, Austwick CE VA Primary and Horton in Ribblesdale CE VA Primary. The three schools shared Pupil Numbers

The number of children at Clapham CE with the progressive reduction in VC Primary School has been falling existing year groups results in a over the past few years. By the forecast total roll of 25 in 2019/20 and beginning of January 2019, there were only 22 the following year. just 28 pupils on roll in the school and these are projected to fall to just 22 by Breadth of Curriculum September 2020. This is well below the capacity of the school – which is The LA has already identified concerns designed to accommodate up to 59 around the school’s ability to meet the pupils if all spaces are in use. educational need of children with such Forecasts indicate that these numbers small numbers alongside existing will not recover significantly in the financial issues. As numbers continue longer term and may reduce further to fall it will be increasingly difficult to still in the following years as the larger provide the remaining pupils with year groups move into secondary access to the full range of experiences education. they need, particularly opportunities for working and playing with children their In these circumstances, it would be own age. difficult to deliver and sustain quality education. The Financial Position Pupil numbers determine the school budget. With these low numbers, and The last full Ofsted inspection was in a reduced budget, the school may May 2011 and was judged as being have to further reduce staff. outstanding. At the time of the inspection there were 35 pupils on roll Examination of the predicted financial with an age range of 4-10. Pupils position has led to concerns about the would then transfer to a middle school schools ability to preserve the quality at the end of year five. The middle of education. The school is projecting school provision ended in September in year deficits of £28k in 2019/20 and 2012 and as a result Clapham CE VC £47k in 2020/21, and cumulative deficit Primary School increased its age of £102k by the end of that year. range to include 11 year olds. For a These were based on pupil short time this led to an increase in assumptions at the time of 27 in pupil numbers, however, since 2014 2019/20 and 21 in 2020/21, so the numbers on roll have been falling position will deteriorate further as pupil gradually despite its outstanding numbers fall with no reasonable Ofsted judgement. prospect of recovery.

Total roll numbers: Leadership 2013/14 – 40 2014/15 – 42 2015/16 – 39 Despite a number of attempts to recruit 2016/17 – 34 a substantive Headteacher this has not 2017/18 – 27 2018/19 – 28 proved possible. The current interim arrangements cannot continue into the The latest pupil forecast indicates no future. It has not been possible to more than three new reception aged identify another school locally that starters in 2019/20. This combined would be prepared to share a

Headteacher. Without secure County Council’s current home-to- leadership the school’s standards are school transport policy and at risk. procedures, based on travel distances from each child’s home address and The Proposal individual circumstances. For the reasons outlined above it is Parents have a right to express a proposed that Clapham CE VC preference for any school and, in the Primary School should close with case of community and voluntary effect from 31 August 2019. controlled schools, the Local Authority is the admissions authority and will The nearest Church of England school, meet that preference, provided there 2 miles from Clapham, is Austwick CE are vacant places or the school is VA Primary School. There is also, happy to admit above the published Ingleton Primary School which is 4.7 admission number. In the case of miles from Clapham School, Bentham Voluntary Aided schools, the governing CP School at 5.5 miles, and body decides the conditions for Giggleswick Primary School at 5.8 admission to their particular school. miles away. Where a child attends a school, which is not their normal school or nearest It is proposed that the catchment areas school, parents are normally of both Austwick CE VA Primary responsible for making transport School and Bentham CP School are arrangements. expanded to include the current Clapham catchment area. These North Yorkshire County Council’s schools have the capacity to take Admissions Team is always happy to some additional pupils and have give advice to parents – please contact indicated a willingness to do so. Vickie Hemming-Allen on 01609 535481 or Lisa Herdman on 01609 The County Council would welcome 534953. consultees’ views on the proposed catchment area extension. The School Site The school building is not owned by For children currently at Clapham CE the County Council, it is held on an VC Primary School, North Yorkshire implied Trust for the purposes of a County Council will work with each school. The playing field is leased in family to try to meet their individual by the County Council from a private preferences for other schools landowner. Decisions about the future regardless of the catchment area use of the school buildings and playing defined. Staff and governors at field will be taken by the owners after Clapham CE VC Primary School are the closure proposal has been also committed to supporting families determined. in their choice of school and in making a smooth transition. What Happens Next? Some schools may be able to admit Your views about this proposal are over their published admission welcomed. You can either complete numbers for some year groups. and return the attached response sheet, or submit an online response. Eligibility for home-to-school transport will be determined in line with the Paper responses should be returned to

North Yorkshire County Council at the Thursday 4th April 2019 address below: All responses to the consultation FREEPOST RTKE-RKAY-CUJS received by this date will be Clapham considered by the County Council’s Strategic Planning Executive on 16 April 2019. North Yorkshire County Council If the County Council’s Executive County Hall decides to proceed with the closure NORTHALLERTON proposal, then statutory notices would be published in the local press on DL7 8AE Thursday 2 May 2019. These notices Online responses may be submitted by provide a further four weeks for following this link: representations to be made. A final decision would then be made by North https://consult.northyorks.gov.uk/snapwebhost/S Yorkshire County Council’s Executive URVEY_PREVIEW.asp?k=154755992143 on 25 June 2019. If agreed the school The closing date for responses is would close on 31 August 2019.

Anticipated Key Dates

All dates are subject to approvals at each stage.

Consultation opens Tuesday 12 February 2019 Public meeting at the school 6.00pm # March 2019 Consultation closes Thursday 4th April 2019 County Council’s Executive considers 16 April 2019 consultation response Statutory Notices published (4 weeks Thursday 2 May 2019 for representations to be made) Final decision by County Council’s 25 June 2019 Executive Proposed school closure date 31 August 2019

Clapham CE VC Primary School A consultation on whether the school should be closed

Observations and/or suggestions:

Interest/Status ...... e.g. Parent/Governor/Teacher/Community

Name of School ......

Signed ...... Date: ......

Name (Block Capitals) ...... Address: ...... Postcode: ......

To help us assess whether we have provided clear information, please let us know whether you found this consultation easy to understand? YES/NO

Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

……………………………………………………………………………………..……………

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, responses to the consultation may be published on the County Council’s website where it may be accessed by members of the public. Your personal details will not be published.Please send this response sheet to the following “FREEPOST” address. You do not need to use a postage stamp.

FREEPOST RTKE-RKAY-CUJS Clapham Strategic Planning North Yorkshire County Council County Hall NORTHALLERTON DL7 8AE Or go to: https://consult.northyorks.gov.uk/snapwebhost/SURVEY_PREVIEW.asp ?k=154755992143

and submit your response there To be received by no later than 4th April 2019

We are collecting this information for the purpose of gathering views on the proposal. Your personal data will not be published or passed to any other organisation unless a legal obligation compels us to do so. We may contact you to discuss your views further. For more information about how your personal data is handled at North Yorkshire County Council please visit: www.northyorks.gov.uk/privacy

Appendix 2

Record of Public Meeting concerning Clapham CE VC Primary School

Meeting held on 7 March 2019 at Clapham Village Hall

Present: Mike Ravey (Chair of Clapham’s Governing Body), Katherine Marshall (Acting Headteacher of Clapham School), Andrew Dixon (Strategic Planning Manager, North Yorkshire County Council, NYCC), Richard Noake (Director of Education, Anglican Diocese of Leeds), County Cllr Patrick Mulligan (Executive Member for Education and Skills, NYCC), Julia Temple (Strategic Planning Officer, NYCC), Matt Blyton (Lead Adviser, NYCC), Kate Lounds (Lead Adviser, NYCC), County Cllr Carl Lis (Local Councillor), Simone Bennett (Anglican Diocese of Leeds), Maria Farrer (Governor), Marilyn Galpin (Governor), Elizabeth Greenbank (Governor), John Davis (Church and Governor), Nigel Harrison (Clerk to Parish Council), Angie Martin (Governor), Liz Mason (Governor), Caroline Procter (Bentham Primary School), John and Judith Danson (Parish Council), Joanna Colledge (Headteacher, Ingleton Primary School), Sarah Richardson (Bentham Community Primary School), Paul Brats (Clapham Parish Council), Claire Pearson (Headteacher, Bentham Primary School), Dawn Barry (Headteacher, Ingleton Primary School), Colin Price (Parish Council). Additionally, there were 18 Parents, 54 residents and 4 members of staff.

Apologies: One member of the community gave their apologies 102 people were present

AGENDA

6:00 Meeting Opens – Brief Welcome Chair of Governors 6:20 Executive Members Opening Remarks County Cllr Patrick  Introduction to the Panel Mulligan  Short statement about background  Handover to LA Officer for presentation

6:30 Presentation from NYCC and Diocese Andrew Dixon and  The proposal Richard Noake  Background to the proposal  Why now?  Pupil numbers  Diocese view  How can people comment 7:00 Question and Answer Session County Councillor Patrick Mulligan 7:45 Closing Remarks County Councillor Patrick Mulligan 8:00 Meeting Close

1. Welcome

The Chair of Governors, Mike Ravey, opened the meeting a little after 6.00pm and welcomed those present.

2. Executive Members opening remarks

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan introduced himself and the rest of the panel.

3. Presentation by Andrew Dixon and Richard Noake

Andrew Dixon introduced himself as the Strategic Planning Manager at NYCC and said that he was going to present information on the background to the decision and explain the procedure. He would also invite Richard Noake, Director of Education at the Anglican Diocese of Leeds to speak to give the Diocese views and to talk about ownership of the school site and buildings. Andrew Dixon then followed with a presentation.

4. Questions and Answers

A parent asked whether wiping out the debt would make some of the other options easier. Andrew Dixon queried how that might be achieved. The inherent in year position is the most challenging and likely to only be overcome by increased pupil numbers. Richard Noake clarified that it is not just the financial position that is a concern but also the quality of provision. The Diocese and LA stand together on this and even if the financial challenge was addressed there would still be challenges around how 2019/20 curriculum could be delivered with such low numbers. Mike Ravey added that the provision of that money would need to be available immediately in order to recruit leadership.

A parent of a former Clapham pupil said that what they are hearing is a self-fulfilling prophecy where the same issues are being repeated over again. He asked what more could have been done to provide more funding and asked why the school could not have been subsidised. Cllr Mulligan agreed and explained that what we are facing is a national funding formula which does not provide sufficient funding in areas of sparse population. Andrew Dixon commented further on the view of a self-fulfilling prophecy and the advice given to parents should not be seen as the LA actively trying to assume any outcome.

A resident said that surely it would be more cost effective to run two small schools than to extend another given costs of transport etc. Andrew Dixon responded that it is difficult to assess costs of transport as that is largely based on parental preference. Bentham has been identified as one alternative school due to it currently having spare capacity without the need for expansion.

A resident said the LA appears to be looking at it from costs rather than the wellbeing of the children. Mike Ravey agreed that it would be best to have a school in each

village, however, the majority of children in Clapham are already using transport with costs associated with that.

A resident felt that the closure of the school would lead to the closure of the community, and that people would no longer want to live in Clapham. This will put the viability of the community into question. The resident went on to comment that there had been a school in Clapham since the last part of the 17th Century, and that the impact of other schools closing in the area means we need to think about distances from schools that have already closed.

A member of the community and Governor at Settle asked whether the proportion of children within catchment coming to this school is normal. Andrew Dixon responded that yes in rural areas, given the size of the catchment area, this is normal. He also added that parental preference does also play a part. The member of the community went on to ask if the fall in pupil numbers was due to parents choosing to go elsewhere. Andrew Dixon replied that the LA hasn’t tracked the movement of pupils. Mike Ravey said that Governors have done some work around this and said that historically they have seen a number of children leave the school, although this has been less so more recently.

A member of the audience said they thought the recent rise in children attending the school was due to the good Headteacher but was concerned that there had been no promotion of the school locally or interest in trying to gain pupils. Also, the schools website shows the nursery as being closed which could potentially put parents off admitting their child. Mike Ravey responded that when they were looking at budgets last year there was no interest expressed in the community for new nursery starters and as such they had made the decision not to run the nursery class this year as there are currently no nursey aged children attending school. Mike Ravey said they had to be careful not to share too much information as they didn’t want to cause alarm which could have led to parents removing their children.

A parent of a young child who attends Bethal Chapel playgroup said that no one from the school has been out to the tots group to speak to parents and ask what their thoughts are. They questioned how long it would be before the other local schools close and that she felt there was a lack of passion within the LA to keep the school open.

A member of the audience who did not identify themselves queried the information the LA held on new housing in the area and said there were at least 20 new houses proposed within the area. They said that previously they have had low numbers of children living within Clapham but these have since recovered. Andrew Dixon said that he welcomed any local knowledge around housing.

A parent commented on the lack of affordable housing and the price of the new homes being built are out the reach of most young families. There was also a query around the size of Bentham Primary School in that rural communities want to have small schools not large ones. Andrew Dixon responded that Bentham was built to

meet the needs of the numbers of children living within that catchment area and allowing for expected growth.

Matt Blyton, Lead Adviser, introduced himself and said that before working as an Adviser he had been the Headteacher of a very small North Yorkshire primary school of just 34 pupils. He explained the challenges he faced in trying to keep that school going and the significant amount of hard work and effort that went in to avoiding closure. He said he has been involved with Clapham School over the past 5 years and during that time witnessed a huge amount of passion, both within the school and the LA, by those who have worked hard to keep the school going. Both the LA and Diocese have worked hard to find another Headteacher but with the challenges this school now faces have been unable to appoint a new head for September.

A resident commented that they do not understand why the LA can’t deliver a good quality education when they do in small rural areas of Scotland. Matt Blyton responded that there are some very small schools in North Yorkshire that are successful but Scotland doesn’t have to operate under the same funding formula or Ofsted requirements. Matt Blyton went on to say that what we find in England is that funding and league tables work against some small schools.

Mike Ravey reiterated that there is significant amount of passion within the Governing Body to keep the school open but as a Governing Body they are now asking for help from the community. They have looked into all sorts of different options but have not managed to come up with anything that will sustain the school going forward.

A member of the Parish Council and former School Governor between 2007-13 said that during that time the school was in a confederation to try and secure the future of the school, with a shared Headteacher and shared resources. He believes there shouldn’t need to be a sharing of the budget and shared liability. Matt Blyton responded that any decision to confederate would have been made by the Governing Body at that time. Matt Blyton explained that this arrangement would today be called a collaboration and under that model the Headteacher had to serve three Governing Bodies. A federation is to amalgamate Governing Bodies so there is only one across all schools within that federation. Federation budgets can remain separate or can be pooled but the Governing Body would be responsible across all schools within the federation. A number of school shave been contacted but have all declined the offer of federation with Clapham.

A resident asked what pupil numbers would make the school sustainable and commented that not enough consideration has been given to developments in the area. Mike Ravey said he thought they would need at least another 10 children to be admitted in September and another 10 the following year just to break even. They would also need to make a recovery on the outstanding debt.

A resident commented that recent improvements to high speed broadband would make the area more attractive to new families and there is a chance of recovery.

A parent who previously had a child at Clapham questioned whether anything has been done to raise the profile of the issues surrounding the funding allocation and have MP’s been doing the same? Cllr Mulligan confirmed that North Yorkshire, and other LA’s, have made representations to central government regarding small schools and would encourage everyone to lobby their MP to do the same. A resident added that there seems to be a perception that the LA doesn’t support small schools as much as larger ones. Andrew Dixon replied that the National Funding Formula is the same for any school regardless of size.

A resident asked how many other schools in a deficit position are still surviving. Andrew Dixon said there are large numbers of schools with deficit budgets that are not threatened with closure. Only two schools are currently under closure consultation. Cllr Mulligan added that as long as schools are able to set a balanced budget then that is acceptable.

A resident asked if more could be done to recruit a Headteacher. Matt Blyton said the school have insufficient funds to appoint a permanent Headteacher and they haven’t been able to find a school that is willing to share a Headteacher with Clapham. They have looked at reducing the number of classes and operating a single class structure but that would have huge implications on the quality of education being provided. A further question was asked around whether the local community could fund a Headteacher post. Matt Blyton said that a recovery plan can’t be made on promises and any financial contributions would have to be in the budget now.

A parent asked what would happen if there was a baby boom and schools then needed to be expanded. They said it seemed a short sighted way of looking at it. Cllr Mulligan said that Craven District Council will be adopting their local plan shortly. That shows there is a lot of development coming but it is all within the urban areas. Andrew Dixon added that work around school place planning is generally showing a picture of stable or falling numbers in rural areas and an increase in urban areas.

A resident asked if any headteachers previously asked about headship would be willing to help out in the short term. Kate Lounds, Lead Improvement Adviser, responded that Greatwood Primary School have already been doing that by providing Katherine Marshall and other schools have been asked the same question. A resident added that leadership has in the past been an issue but with Katherine it has been turned around.

A resident commented that the LA are saying it’s not a done deal but have not said anything that might help and now the community have not been given sufficient time to come up with anything. Mike Ravey said Governors have tried and failed to come up with a solution, and it’s because they have exhausted all ideas that they are in this position now. He said the Governors have been careful in not making the school’s position public because they didn’t want to put off prospective parents which could have led to an even quicker decline in numbers.

An ex-pupil and member of the community asked for further clarification around amalgamation and funding, and questioned why only now they are learning about the

schools finances. Andrew Dixon explained that each school receives a lump sum plus an amount per each pupil. When schools amalgamate they effectively lose one of the lump sum elements. He went on to say that although this is the first time the school finances have been made public, those close to the school have had a good understanding of the situation for some time.

A resident said that the village community invested in the village store and saved that so couldn’t see why the same couldn’t be done for the school. Andrew Dixon said that there is no restriction on what the community could offer in terms of financial support but it would need to be recurring. Another resident asked what the deadline would be for getting funding together. Andrew Dixon replied that it was more about getting a proposal put together to show what can be done at this stage.

A resident remarked that funding comes largely from Government, and a change in Government could offer opportunity.

A resident thanked all the Governors for keeping the school going and for giving up their time to attend the meeting.

A question was asked about the cost of a Headteacher to which MR replied that if they were to identify a shared Executive Headteacher then that requirement would change. Another question that was asked was about the nursey and if there was an opportunity to run a toddler group at the school.

A Governor said that Julian Smith MP has been contacted various times. He has a clinic on the 29 March and would welcome people going along. The community need to lobby MP’s to find a solution.

A resident asked what could the Diocese offer to support schools. Richard Noake responded that in terms of financial support they can’t do much. However, the Diocese have not been silent on the issue of rural schools. They attended a meeting at Lambeth Palace to petition about rural communities. Richard Noake explained that it is not just about education and other government departments need to be involved. The Church of England have sent a demand to Government Ministers seeking a solution. Simone Bennet, Anglican Diocese of Leeds, added that at a more local level they are part of a rural network who are coming together to look for solutions, and part of the role of the Rural Schools Network is to lobby government.

A resident asked where the recovery plan comes from. Mike Ravey said the school governing body has responsibility for producing a plan which then has to be accepted by the LA. What they are asking for now are ideas on what they can base a recovery plan on.

A resident mentioned that when they were working on saving the shop a steering group was set up and asked if there would be scope for a similar group to be set up to look at ways of saving the school. Mike Ravey said he thought that would be a good idea and welcomed anyone interested to leave their details at the end of the meeting.

Another resident asked if the Diocese of Leeds is passionate about keeping the school open. Richard Noake gave assurance that they were and said over the past few years they have put significant time and effort into this school and have gone as far as speaking to colleagues in other areas in an attempt to find a Headteacher for the school.

An observation was made by a resident that there is clearly a lot of enthusiasm for the school and asked how people are able to respond to providing support. Mike Ravey said they would accept responses in any way, either by speaking directly or by letter or by completing a consultation response.

The Chair of the Parish Council said that Clapham is not a dying community, it has a village store, broadband, and the strength of support is overwhelming amongst the community.

A resident then asked how many schools that have consulted on closure have remained open. Andrew Dixon confirmed that all eight that have had recent consultations have led to closure.

Cllr Mulligan closed the meeting at 8.20pm after he and Mike Ravey thanked the panel and everyone for attending, and reminding those present how they could respond to the consultation.

Appendix 3

Proposal to Close Clapham CE VA Primary School Consultation Responses

Responses from: Community/Resident 143 Education staff 10 Former pupil/parent 17 Local Community Organisation/Parish Councils 7 Parent 28 Relative/Friend/Visitor 12 School Governor/Governing Body 5 Other 4 Total 226

Comments

What are your views on the proposal? Interest 1 I am contacting you to oppose the closure of Clapham Primary School. I was brought up close to Clapham as part of a family that had inhabited the area since before the second world war. As such me and my two brothers were all educated at the school which forms such an important part of the local community. The closure of the school would have a significant negative impact on the local area and its people. Clapham like many rural communities has an aging population where there is a need to keep and attract young families to sustain it for the future. The closure of a primary school, particularly one as connected to the community as Clapham's, will discourage young people from staying and moving to the village to the disadvantage of everyone. Rural schools for local children are an important part of any community and Former Pupil help build the communal spirit and attachment to a locality that are vital for the long term future any village. Clapham Primary has long formed part of the village's community and no benefit to the people of Clapham can be achieved through its closure. Loss of community, social isolation and an aging population are just some of the problems that the communities and people of North Yorkshire face. The role of the County Council is to protect its residents against these challenges and help build resilient communities for the future, the closure of Clapham Primary School will not contribute towards this. I hope that Councillors and Officer will take a long term view of this issue and recognise the importance of keeping this school open for the local community and future generations of Clapham's children. 2 As a parent of present pupils, an ex-pupil myself, as was my father before me. I am strongly against the proposal to close Clapham Primary School and I don't agree with the 4 reasons given for closing the school, for the following reasons. The Local Authority should put more pressure on other local schools to very strongly encourage them to share their Head Teacher with Clapham Primary School, (after all you are the Parent employer of the Head Teachers and the money to pay their wages comes from NYCC) this would be of benefit to the other local school as they would receive extra funds, due to Clapham Primary School paying part of their Head Teachers wages. If you do find and appoint a shared Head Teacher, this would solve the future funding problem and the local community in Clapham would be very able to fund raise to cover the deficit for the current school year. This is demonstrated by the successful fundraising to setup Clapham Community Shop and its continued success. Also the steering group to help save Clapham Primary School was setup immediately following the public meeting in the village hall, showing how committed and passionate the local people are about the school. Also the LA think it will be difficult to provide high quality education in the long term. I do not agree with this lots of children flourish in a smaller school, where they are not overwhelmed by the numbers of children in a large school. So a smaller school can have a great beneficial effect on the mental health and wellbeing of shy or vulnerable children and this has a positive impact for the rest of the child's life. It has been mentioned that having small numbers in a year group is a disadvantage I would disagree with this, there can also be great benefits i.e. Children play, interact, help and support each other, across different age groups in a small school, improving their social skills in dealing with different age groups in future life. The teaching staff are excellent at Clapham School and they know the children really well and are able to tailor the education individually to each child, with knowing the children so well. If a shared Head Teacher was found by the LA this would also open up even more opportunities for the children to work with a larger group of children of a similar age at local events, as the shared Head Teacher would be keen for the 2 schools to work together as a team. (There are already countless examples of where Clapham Primary School children are already meeting up with and working along with children from other local schools, including Rewind to Easter at Bentham and Ingleton Methodist Churches, British Values and Commonwealth Day at Bentham School. Numerous sporting events every term at both Settle and Giggleswick for all the North Craven Schools. Residential trips for both years 5 and year 6 which have included a number of local schools recently, including Giggleswick, Bentham, Austwick, Long Preston.) The children also have lots of opportunities for interaction with people of all ages in the local Clapham and area surrounding areas community, if Clapham School closed, these opportunities would be lost, to the detriment of both the children and the Clapham community. Some of the current interactions include, older members of the community coming into the school with Age UK to have lunch with the school children, the children go to Clapham Church and Bethel Chapel several times a year to interact with locals and learn about religious festivals. The children share their Harvest gifts with the elderly in Clapham village. People of all ages come to school events including the Christmas fundraising Fair and the end of term plays (the last one being, the whole of Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical, Joseph and his technicolor dream coat being performed by Clapham School children to a packed village hall) this is hardly a school which is failing to deliver an exceptional education to its pupils and adding to the interests and interactions of the whole community. Pupil numbers can fluctuate and pupil numbers were adversely affected by a previous Head Teacher, but he has left and the School is in a much better position now. The future parents of the school with preschool aged children are passionate about the school and are committed to bringing their children to Clapham School in future years, demonstrated by them being involved on the steering group. So bearing all the above in mind, use your common sense and keep Clapham School open for the benefit of present and future pupils and the benefit of Clapham community too. 3 As parents, my husband and I would be devastated if our local school was to close. We have three children, who all attended the early years setting prior to starting in reception, and my husband, his three siblings and his Father all attended Clapham C of E. Our eldest child moved on to secondary school September 18, and we currently have two children left at the school, who have benefited thoroughly over their years in such an outstanding environment. We refuse to relocate our children to a school of good standard, from a school of outstanding standard, at which it currently stands. Our children benefit from being in a small Parent school setting, where each and every child looks out for each other as if they were family. The standard of teaching is second to none, and it would be of no benefit to our children's education and confidence if they were to move schools. The village is welcoming new family's all of the time, and if their children have nowhere to study locally it would only deter people, and have a knock on effect throughout the wider community. All we ask is that you take on board the feelings of our children, and the negative impact it would have on them, their families, and the future prospect of the village and wider community. 4 I live in the village of Clapham and my niece attends the school. She is thriving and is very happy there. I think closing the school would be very short sighted as there are a lot of new houses being built in the village that could in the future be sold to families with children who could attend the school. I understand there is a list of rural schools that should not be considered for closure without an impact assessment on the local Community community. This to my knowledge had not happened. The school is an integral part of the village and to close it would have a huge impact on all of the community not just young families. I also have concerns that other schools in the locality are not as good and if the children had to move, not only would they be unsettled they would be receiving an inferior education. 5 Closing Clapham Primary School will have a major effect on the villages of Clapham, Newby and Keasden. We are already an ageing community. House prices are expensive and this is a disincentive to young families wanting to buy their own homes. There is a housing development currently underway but prices are far higher than most can afford and, as yet, none of them have been sold to young families. The loss of the school will not only be a blow to those children and their Community families it will also create a further reason for young people not to move into that area, accelerating even more the age profile. This does not create a healthy community where there would be a mix of ages, household types, interests and experiences. We will become a community in decline and the children who are denied the opportunity to attend their 'local' school will lose that special link with their own area. 6 As a strong community group in the villages of Clapham cum Newby and Keasden we would wish to add our support to the Clapham Community Action Group’s campaign to keep the above school open. As a community run shop employing 5 staff from local communities and supported by 40+ volunteers we have a strong bond with our customers. They are our friends, relatives, neighbours, visitors and, in some cases, Community our shareholders. The school has been one of the groups we have sought to forge strong links with since the shop re-opened four years ago. Children from the school are our customers and we enjoy taking time with them to help them to make their purchases, teach them a bit about money and chat with them about what they have been doing or what their plans are. As this most frequently happens after school we are less likely to enjoy that interaction with one another – a loss to us but also a loss to those children who benefit from the contact with older members of their community (which most of our volunteers are). For them it represents a positive interaction with the older generation and vice versa for our volunteers. We have also undertaken specific projects with the school – our Bag for Life has a logo designed by a pupil for Clapham School. In addition we have a joint gardening project – From Seed to Sale. Pupils are cultivating the small back garden of the shop and their produce will go on sale in the shop with proceeds to the school. Probably not very much in terms of cash but a great learning experience close to home. In terms of business we would, obviously, lose the school account. As far as personal customers are concerned we can only estimate that, potentially, we could lose contact with the families who would have had children at the school should it close. They may well go elsewhere if they do not have the same reason to be in Clapham at the start and end of the school day (many of the children do not live in the village but come in from outlying areas). We know that the end of the school day is a busy time in the shop with pupils, mums and dads coming in to stock up for tea, buy treats etc. If the school run takes them elsewhere it is not a giant leap to see that we will lose trade. Village shops do not operate on the basis of a making a lot of profit. This shop is only a success because of the huge amount of volunteer time which goes into it. The loss of any customer group is of great concern to us, making it harder to meet our targets and potentially putting the future of the shop at risk. This would, of course, have a knock on effect for the staff we employ and the volunteers who get so much out of working in the shop. The shop has given many of them a real boost, giving them a new interest and purpose. It would also have a great impact upon those customers who are less mobile and are unable to shop elsewhere easily. For them a visit to the shop not only enables them to make the purchases they need, it also gives them a reason to get out of the house and to actually talk to someone. However, the loss of the school goes even deeper than that. One reason why we are able to have such a thriving community shop is that we can mine from a very rich seam of volunteers because the demographic profile of Clapham and its surrounding villages is older than the North Yorkshire average which is, in itself, older than the national average. This is beneficial to us but it is not ideal for the community itself and the danger is that, if the school should close, this trend will accelerate and we are in danger of becoming a ghetto of the retired. This does not make for a healthy, vibrant community. In other words one which is a mix of age groups, skills, experiences and interests. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Management Plan they state as one of the seven objectives that they intend to achieve is to make our area Home to strong, self- reliant and balanced communities with good access to the services they need Closing schools is not the way to achieve this. 7 I have been around the area for 30 years and have seen many changes in the area some better than others. The children next door to us have and still do attend the Clapham village school. It seems sad to me that the Council have allowed a large number of new homes to be build in Community and around the village, most being suitable for families and they then remove a facility that can prove to be an attraction to bring families in and provide employment to boot. What a shame to make the village a retirement home. I realise the whole thing is cost, it would be wonderful if the school could be used as something more than just a school to enable to offset costs. 8 I cannot understand why CDC can approve the building of 37 new family homes in Clapham, then this move to close the school. With a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed homes, it is obvious that they are aimed at family life, so just as they are nearing completion, you want to close the school, 1 of the main considerations when buying a home. Even if only 15 of these homes attract families with children that would increase pupil numbers. This smacks of poor communication and planning. Rumour has it that the closure was planned soon after the new school was Community opened in Bentham, and not ensuring appropriate recruitment of a suitable head at the time was a way to force pupil numbers down, leading to the current situation. The decision to do this so quickly and just as the new houses are coming onto the market leads me to believe the rumour has some substance, i.e. dirty work to say the least. Bentham is a 20 minute drive away, and the road into and out of Austwick onto the A65 is not a safe junction. The road is only 1 vehicle wide almost at the junction, so an additional hazard 9 I live in Clapham village and want to express my opposition to the closure of the school. Clapham primary school has an ‘Outstanding’ rating from OFSTED and, from talking to parents in the village is well loved by the children currently attending. Clapham itself is a real working village with a mixed population, community shop, pub, locally owned working farms and a vibrant community life. I believe that closing the school will be detrimental to the village community. New houses are being built on the edges of the village. A functioning school will help to attract and retain families; something that is critical to the long-term life of the community. The community shop is staffed largely by volunteers but it still needs to ‘wash its face’ financially. Closing the school will reduce the client base of the shop with parents and children likely to Community shop elsewhere at the beginning and end of the school day. The village will lose its heart if the shop closes. As I understand things, Government guidance is that decision makers should be adopting a presumption against closure for rural schools. Additionally, the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Management Plan has as one of its objectives: 'Home to strong, self-reliant and balanced communities with good access to the services they need'. We need the school for that. Whilst the recent falling rolls are a matter of fact, projections of potential pupil numbers for the future are, I believe more positive. Given this and the importance of the school to this community I urge that more is done to consider alternatives to closure and the part that could be played by the wider village in this. 10 Clapham is a thriving village thanks to volunteers running many social activities; helping in the village shop and in school. It takes a community Former pupil/ like this to nurture and raise children in an environment which Parent/ encourages them to develop to the best of their ability. I have lived in Teacher/ Clapham for 50 years. My husband started at the school in 1934, our Governor - daughter attended and I have been a teacher there and until 2016 was a now retired - governor. I have had the privilege of seeing former pupils achieve both xxxxxx great and small things locally, nationally, internationally and in raising xxxxxx and a families, becoming worthwhile citizens. If at all possible the school community needs to be kept open for the community to keep going. Without young member families this village would not be the same and a village without a school would not encourage young people to come and replace us oldies. A small school can be a jewel in the crown for educating young children. 11 The case for closure, set out in the consultation document is not convincing and fails to show why the school should be closed. There is a presumption that schools on the designated list of rural schools should remain open and be supported by the local authority; the reason why this is not the case is not addressed either in the paper presented to NYCC on which the decision to proceed to consultation was based nor in the consultation document itself. Information used to support the argument around forecast pupil numbers, new housing planning consents and the number of newly constructed homes is not consistent with my understanding of the actual figures; I have asked NYCC why there is a difference but explanations of the source of the figures have not been provided. The consultation presents opinion as fact in several areas without supporting justification. The impact of the closure on the Community local community has not been properly considered in accordance with accepted national guidance. The paper which was presented to NYCC for approval to proceed to consultation contained significant errors and, consequently, raises questions about the validity of the decision to proceed and therefore the consultation should be withdrawn for further consideration. The impact of the consultation on the school has been significant and has affected the confidence of parents in the school, which consequently, has impacted on the number of children selecting the school as their first preference for the next school year. The Council needs to recognise the implications of their actions and provide a 3-year educational and financial support package for the school to allow sufficient time for the level of confidence to return to normal levels. 12 Closing Clapham school at this stage would be extremely premature. I wholeheartedly support the Action Group who have demonstrated that there is a good financial plan possible. Especially as there has not been time for the effects of the new houses being built to be seen on school Community numbers. Having a school is at the heart of the village and once it has gone it will not be replaced. At a time when many schools are not receiving good Ofsted reports we should be very careful about closing an "outstanding" one. 13 This school is a central element of a small farming rural community. The community is vibrant and has a very different type of population from the nearby towns of Bentham and Ingleton which were both traditionally mining towns. The new owners of the Estate have a policy of encouraging families to move into the village. From the outer remote parts of the catchment area it already takes a long time to get to Community Clapham as the nearest school including many of the scattered community of Keasden. Indeed, in such a scattered community it is vital for local children to bond in a local setting to continue to knit the community together for the future. I recommend co-working with either Austwick or with Leck primary schools. 14 To lose our primary school would be a huge loss for our community. I am aware numbers have dropped due to I believe a failed head teacher appointment. I am struggling to see why our community should suffer due to one person who failed at their job. This is one incident in a long Community history of the school and will affect future generations. My future children will no longer be able to attend the school their parents and grandparents attended and loved. I urge you to delay this and allow numbers to recover. As you will be aware Clapham has a strong and powerful community and we deserve the chance to recover and get back on track. 15 Clapham school serves our community and bearing in mind that over 36 new homes are being built in and around the village. It stands to reason that to close the school now would be premature. Leave the decision at Resident least 2 years so we can see how many families have come to the village. 16 Clapham is becoming an aging community. If we lose our primary school it will be less attractive to families to move here. Without young Resident blood this wonderful community will sadly change. 17 Years ago Clapham primary was the nearest school for my daughter to go to at the time but I was not impressed with it at all so she went to Tatum Fells Church of England Lowgill - I remember also seeing a poor Community goldfish in the smallest container I have ever seen no room to swim in hardly - that alone told me something - a teacher said to me I would hate to be learning to drive at your age as though I was to old 18 I have 2 children, age 23 and 20. They were both at Clapham Primary school, they were extremely happy there, the teaching and community spirit were evident, as a mum I would think that small community Ex Parent primary schools with the values that Clapham Primary has would be a shame to lose. I really hope that the school is not closed and cast aside! 19 I am strongly in favour of keeping open Clapham Primary school. My 3 daughters all went there and received a great education and set them up to go on to do great things in life. One is a doctor, one a structural Ex Parent engineer and one is fully involved in environmental projects and sustainable living. I would like the opportunity to remain available for future generations to attend such a school in their own village. 20 The school has suffered for a short period of time with declining pupil numbers and a leadership that was ambushed and was not equipped for the challenge. This in the main was as the result of one parent, I witnessed this parent’s negative impact on the school and its staff over a long period of time as I have had at least one of my three children at the school for the last 17 years. This parent was allowed to terrorise the staff and have a huge amount of influence and control without any action taken to prevent it. When the headmaster finally did try and cut her ties with the school she created a coup that led many parents to take their children from the school. While I accept there will be other Parent issues my belief is now that this parent has no children to go through the school and has therefore stopped interfering the damage can be resolved with a little time and support. My two children who have been through the school are now at university having been provided with a fantastic start to their education. My 3rd child is at the school now and loves it. It would be hugely damaging to the community as a whole to close the school. It will kill the village which for many years has been unique in the Dales in the way it has supported families and housing through the Farrar estate. 21 Clapham is unlike many villages, it has a large number of rented homes and there are very few second homes in the village, this makes it possible for young families to stay in or move to the village and so decrease the average age of the demographic of the village –a little. Community This is a real bonus as it is often only the “more mature” have the wealth to buy in the village. It would be a great discouragement for young families to move into the village if the school closed. There are groups in village that have worked to make the village sustainable and enable us all to continue to thrive, the village school is part of that sustainability. There is a strong community in the village, I hope you will have read carefully the input from Clapham Community Shop Management. The school has been served badly by North Yorkshire County Council over the last few years with both management appointments and re- organisations, all with the effect of reducing confidence in the school. Failure of management and threats of closure encourage parents to move their children. It would appear from looking from the outside that there is a deliberate policy for making it hard for this village school to survive. I realise that cuts in funding to Local Government since 2010 have put pressures on NYCC but you have given little support for Clapham in any other way than the school. Please reject the proposal to close Clapham School. 22 Clapham Village School Closure The Closure of a village school is a devastating and permanent alteration to the nature of the community that the school serves. The village becomes bereft of young voices for the whole of the day. Parents and grandparents do not walk through the village with their young ones, meet at the school and swap stories. The shop is not passed and entered every day and ceases to have the importance that it has in the past. Life takes place elsewhere and the village becomes a dormitory through which young life walks only when the bus arrives and, in ones and twos children make their way home. I once overheard a head teacher telling a visiting MP that we had no youth unemployment in this area. It was many years ago and at the time I was both teacher and youth worker and was shocked by the naivety of the statement. There was then and remains now little unemployment here because young people are leaving the area to find work elsewhere. Our problem, much like that of the west coast of Ireland, is that we are haemorrhaging our young, talented and vibrant young people. The closure of a village school is the result of the failure or the complete absence of any long term strategy for creating employment in these rural communities or to provide homes that young people can afford. The upshot of that complete lack of investment is the migration of the greatest part of our young adult population from this community to urban Community areas predominantly in the south of England and overseas. As a small example, from the four houses that form our immediate neighbourhood group, six of the offspring have moved to London, one to Oxford two to Canada and one is still at school. This level of migration is completely unsustainable. The consequence of the lack of awareness that was apparent in that discussion between the head teacher and the MP has been made manifest by the closure of Primary schools in Chapel-le- Dale, Newby, Burton, Horton, Stainforth, Langcliffe and Low Bentham and the middle schools in Ingleton and Settle. The consequence of all these closures has been to depress, visually, audibly and spiritually The Dales communities that they have served. In Clapham we have the misfortune of living under the administration of a poverty stricken county council that is dominated by an elderly and smugly complacent elected body with an apparently unassailable majority and no interest or knowledge of this part of the county; which was inherited from the West Riding and has been poorly served ever since. The county town is too remote for any political activity in this area to have any resonance in the lives of those that make the decisions on our behalf, We don’t share the same local papers or radio and our lives never cross, which makes it very difficult to resist this oppressive downward spiral. The problem is that we don’t have young people. Closing the school will only make that problem worse and throwing your hands in the air and saying that it is not your problem, or that we don’t have the budget is not going to solve it. The task we face as rural communities and as administrative bodies is to make our communities thriving places. We have to find and create solutions and we will not achieve them by removing the very things that make places live. This school must be saved! 23 Clapham is our “neighbour” and we have always worked closely with members of the school community. We have helped informally and formally as much as we could and we are genuinely saddened by the proposal for closure. We have provided headship cover and support, teaching input and training, as well as admin support over the past few years. We also initiated a teacher secondment to relieve some of the financial/staffing pressures. Unfortunately we have been aware of the challenges this lovely small school has faced. Our Governing Body have considered a shared Headship, but felt that assisting on a permanent basis would be detrimental to Ingleton Primary School. With regard to the proposed future schools for Clapham pupils in the event of a closure, we are strongly opposed to the sentence that suggests that some schools “have indicated a willingness to do so” i.e. accommodate pupils, and do feel that we have been unfairly represented since we weren’t asked if we could/would take Clapham children. Of course they would be most welcome here. We do have space for more pupils if parents chose to consider Ingleton in the event of closure. We know that Bentham has spare places but were surprised to read that Austwick has enough space to accommodate more pupils. The Austwick “teaching space”, as it was called in the recent planning application, was funded by the diocese and we do seek clarity as to whether it has now become a classroom which can accommodate pupils from the next village in the event of their school closure. We were rather surprised that we weren’t Community/ included or informed of matters in the consultation document which do Headteachers directly affect us. Austwick is named as the nearest church school and we are named as the nearest community school, yet it is proposed that the catchment areas for Bentham CP School and Austwick are expanded to include the Clapham area. We object to this and we would like our catchment area to be reviewed too. We request that the Clapham catchment be shared between Ingleton, as well as Austwick and Bentham. If the proposed catchment area is actually mapped then we could potentially have a geographical area (which incidentally includes very little populated land up from Chapel-le-dale) nearly surrounded by a vast and well-populated Bentham Primary catchment area which includes plenty of built up places including Low Bentham, High Bentham, Burton-in-Lonsdale, Westhouse, Thornton-in-Lonsdale, Keasdon, Clapham, Newby etc. In the future this proposed catchment would be extremely detrimental to our school and our community. We request a review of our catchment once this consultation is over. When Richard Thornton’s (Burton-in-Lonsdale) closed the authority gave the entire catchment to Bentham Primary School even though Thornton and Westhouse pupils live considerably closer to Ingleton and they have always attended our school. Our school catchment suffered because of the Burton closure and we want to avoid a similar error which is detrimental to our school. If further information is required regarding our concerns please do contact us. 24 I wish to strongly object to the proposed closure of the above school for the following reasons: 1. The figures quoted in the consultation Community document and presented at the consultation meeting on the 7th March are incorrect. The number of houses in the village including new developments, and proposed conversions is much higher than stated. The higher number will in time produce a higher figure of children of school age available to attend the school. 2. Clapham is a strong community minded village, which given time could financially support the school. 3. The village school is the only school in the area which does not provide some form of wraparound care, despite this being raised and requested by parents. The introduction of such care would greatly enhance and attract children to the school. 4 Should the school close, I understand the nearest school (Austwick) would be unable to accommodate all the children. I have found NO parents who would wish their children to attend Bentham School. Note: Bentham is a none Faith school and we already have parents living in Bentham sending their children to Clapham due to the Faith aspect. 5. A rural village needs a church, a pub, a shop and a school to survive. Closing the school will reduce Clapham to both a dormitory village and one with a higher proportion of elderly residents. No young families will be attracted to a village without a school. 6. The assumption that a further OFSTED inspection will be negative/poor is wholly unjustified. 25 I understand why there is a proposal for closure if all you do is count numbers and take into account nothing but numbers. However, it would be a grave error of judgement which would cause lasting damage. Clapham is not just a few houses in a pretty location. It is a thriving community with many active residents who care passionately about the future of the school and the village. Most of us had no idea that the school was in imminent grave danger because we had not been told and we only discovered the facts at the public meeting which was so packed that it was standing room only for the last to arrive. Now that we know many people will do all they can to revive its fortunes. You must give them the opportunity to do so. Clapham residents have an outstanding track record when it comes to actually doing things for the benefit of our village, as opposed to just talking about it. The evidence for this boast? The list is endless: our Community Shop which has won numerous awards is staffed seven days per week by 40 volunteers; an environmental group helps to keep Clapham pristine; the sustainability Ex Parent group promotes recycling events and buys oil in bulk for residents; the annual Street Fair raises thousands of pounds and attracts large numbers of visitors; BARN, the super-fast rural cable network has been installed by volunteers; quizzes and domino drives which raise funds for local causes are sold out in advance. This a village that cares, a village that is very much alive. Closing the school would be a dagger in Clapham's heart and could prove fatal in the long term if young people are deterred from moving here because we have no school. How could the situation change? New houses are under construction. Some parents who were aware of the danger of closure and have moved children elsewhere to ensure a place at a particular school before it is oversubscribed could be tempted back. Ingleborough Estate which owns many local houses is under new ownership and the people in charge are passionate about the future of the school so they will rent houses to parents with children. Please give us the chance to save the school. 26 The end of school is likely to have an adverse impact on the incoming of young people to the village, The area is in danger of becoming a large Resident retirement home. 27 To Who Ever It May Concern, I am writing to oppose the closure of Clapham School. I was a pupil at the school, and I still live in the area and work just up the road in Clapham village, running a local business. The school was a fantastic platform for me, and I went on to be head boy at Carterton Preparatory School, and a prefect at Queen Elizabeth Former Pupil School, Kirkby Lonsdale. I believe that the utmost effort needs to be made to allow the school to get back on its feet for the sake of the community and of the children who are currently attending, or who will hopefully attend in the future. 28 I have been instructed to make observations on behalf of Clapham cum Newby Parish Council. (i) It would appear that there has, in the process so far, been an under-estimation of numbers of prospective pupils. Taking account of existing and planned housing in Clapham and district it is suggested that there should be an expectation of over 30 pupils at the school. (ii) There is substantial local support including financial support. A Community Action Group has been set up. It is understood that the Clapham Education Trust received pledges of £15,000 within days of its inception. It is therefore likely that the community will be able to underwrite the school. The school is currently the only one in the area that does not have pre-school and after-school clubs. The Action Group is looking to rectify this and it is hoped that setting up such clubs would Clerk to the provide a further income stream for the school. (iii) It is submitted that a Parish recovered school would provide a more attractive prospect for Council federation. (iv) There would be a substantial adverse effect on the local community. There has been a recent strategy of rejuvenation in Clapham. The village shop re-opened after a period when the village was without a shop and is thriving as a community-run enterprise; the Ingleborough estate is refurbishing its housing stock and has a policy of letting to families where possible; the local pub has recently changed hands and seems once again to be attracting local custom. If Clapham were to lose its school, it would become less attractive for families with young children-a setback for the community. (v) The closure of the school would necessarily have transport implications with children being required to travel further and local roads being used more. 29 Planning Application number C/04/618C available to view on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Website (see link below), states that the planning application was for ‘Full Planning permission for erection of extension to provide new group space, adjacent group room and storage space.’ It was not a planning application for the provision of a new classroom. Whilst no appeals were lodged to this planning application, had the true intent of the extension to the school been made clear, then appeals would potentially have been lodged by neighbouring schools. It has been made clear that this additional group space would be used as a classroom if all of the current children who attended Local Clapham move to Austwick Primary School. Any additional intake by Headteacher Austwick Primary School would require the school to admit beyond their PAN of 10 and well beyond their net capacity of 60. In doing so, would potentially harm the future viability of other local schools. Has there been full and accurate consideration of the effect of a shared catchment area and a projection as to how this would impact on the admissions numbers of other local schools? Our school has the capacity, without the need for current or future extensions or building works, and well within reasonable travelling distance. A meeting of other local headteachers and chairs of governors would have been very helpful, inclusive and I believe appropriate, before the consultation document was published so that accurate information can be made available and all options fully shared and considered. (http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/living-and-working/planning/planning- applications/applicationdetails?appNo=C%2F04%2F618C&dotAppNo=C%2E04 %2E618C&appAddress=Austwick+Church+of+England+Primary+School%2C+ Austwick) 30 Dear Sirs I write as a long-term resident of Clapham village to voice my wholehearted support of Clapham village school and the efforts to ensure the school’s future. Why? Having lived here for over 20 years, I have come to understand the previous efforts of Dr John Farrer to keep the school open by making long-term rental properties available at affordable rents to attract young working families with children. I know Ingleborough Estate is likely to continue to follow this model. This has other benefits of helping Clapham remain a working rural village with a future rather than one with an over-abundance of holiday letting properties and going towards addressing the challenge that the only people who can afford to live in the Dales are wealthy retirees. I attended the recent meeting at which the closure consultation was announced and the strength of feeling in support of the school and against the closure was remarkable. I have since become aware that the Community Action Group are working to support the School and Governors on demographics, funding and forecasting in order to facilitate the Governors’ presentation of a viable and sustainable recovery plan, As a resident of Clapham and someone who runs a local business, I do not feel some of the stark facts and figures accurately Community represent a true picture of the school’s potential given the increasing rota this past year and the significant number of planning permissions granted or on the near-horizon. Increasing housing stock paired with the flexible working options due to B4RN hyperfast broadband will both be new attractors to family-age people. But they will only come if their children can go to good, local schools and, for many, a traditional, gentle, small local village school is an ideal way to begin a child’s education. Finally, as I see it, the school needs money and time if the present unsustainable situation is to be changed. Now the Clapham CAG has been established, I believe the community will contribute development funding which addresses that immediate problem. Longer- term, the CAG will, I’m sure, be working on a sensible plan to improve pupil numbers to a level that will assure the school’s long-term future. However, doing this planning, obtaining all the necessary agreements and implementing the plan will take time. So I ask that, now you see the strength of local feeling in keeping the school open (evidenced by our willingness to put in hard work and hard cash to the project), you please give us some time to turn things round by cancelling or, at the very least, suspending the proposed school closure. 31 Clapham is a thriving village with its very well supported community shop. The school has important links with the village. Once a school closes, a village loses its heart. So many small schools in the area have closed. This should not be another. Dr. Farrer must be turning in his Community grave. He always encouraged families to rent his properties. The school has had leadership problems but there is lots of support from parents for the school. I hope NYCC will listen to the parents, and the support for the school, and not close this school. 32 For those parents wanting a similar educational experience of a small school I can recommend Leck St Peter School. I am a governor at the Resident school and can thoroughly commend it to any parent. This is most probably another sad casualty of the current school funding crisis caused by significant increases in costs to schools that have not been funded by government. Sadly this will be viewed in whitehall as an efficiency saving. 33 The school needs 1 – more young families in its catchment area. 2 – Somewhere they can afford to live. 3 – The reputation of the school to be such that they want to send their children there. 4 – Some means of financial support while that is achieved. Whilst I understand the benefits Community of centralisation the closure of the school would be yet another step towards the castration of the country side. Count the houses called the ‘Old School House’, ‘The Old Bakery’, ‘The Old Police Station’ etc and you will see what I mean. 34 The school should be kept open! Community 35 We moved to near Clapham 22 years ago and were delighted to be able to send out two young children to the local school. I myself went to a small rural school (Melling) and have fond memories and believe I benefitted, as did my own two children, in going to a school with smaller classes and great community spirit. I was hugely disappointed and Community shocked to hear of the proposed closure of Clapham school and still feel there is space and need for it besides the other primary schools in the area, like Bentham and Austwick, which I believe have quite high numbers already in each class. Its closure would be a great loss to Clapham. 36 1 - The effect of the closure if Clapham School will have a great effect on the local community, by extra traffic being generated in the village, by parents using their cars to transport children to the school chosen by you, also buses which will have to be used. 2 – One of the neighbouring schools suggested did not have an excellent report from Ofsted, which Clapham had. 3 – The cost of transport to the Local Authority, you are supposed to be saving money. 4 – I feel the size of the other schools will put disadvantage in terms Community breadth of curriculum and or resources available. 5 – The loss of a village school not only has a great impact on the lives of the children but also the local people and the community. Especially young children just starting school. 6 – More families with children are coming into the village to use the school so they need not transport their children. 7 – The village is thriving with a community shop, and all the social events are sold out. If the school closes the village will be yet another that dies. 37 1 – A new estate has been built (being finished) in Clapham. This is likely to lead to increased intake at the school. 2 – Of late the Ingleborough Estate which rents out the majority of the houses in Clapham, has renewed its policy of renting vacant houses to local families with children of school age. Resident 3 – Transport/ congestion, closure of school will lead to more traffic and congestion in Austwick and Bentham at already busy times of the day. The bottleneck on Bentham high street is dangerous and difficult to negotiate without adding additional school traffic. 38 Clapham is our neighbour and we have always worked closely with members of the school community. We have helped informally and Co- formally as much as we could and we are genuinely saddened by the Headteachers proposal for closure. We have provided headship cover and support, teaching input and training as well as admin support over the past few years. We also initiated a teacher secondment to relive some of the financial/ staffing pressures. Unfortunately we have been aware of the challenges this lovely small school has faced. Our governing body have considered a shared headship, but felt that assisting on a permanent basis would be detrimental to Ingleton Primary School. With regards to the proposed future schools for Clapham pupils in the event of a closure, we are strongly opposed to the sentence that suggests that some schools ‘have indicated a willingness to do so’ i.e. accommodate pupils, and do feel that we have been unfairly represented since we weren’t asked if we could/would take Clapham children. Of course they would be most welcome here. We do have space for more pupils if parents chose to consider Ingleton in the event of closure. We know that Bentham has spare places but were surprised to read that Austwick has enough space to accommodate more pupils. The Austwick ‘teaching space’, as it was called in the recent planning application, was funded by the diocese and we do seek clarity as to whether it has now become a classroom which can accommodate pupils from the next village in the event of their school closure. We were rather surprised that we weren’t included or informed of matters in the consultation document which do directly affect us. Austwick is named as the nearest church school and we are named as the nearest community school, yet it is proposed that the catchment areas for Bentham CP school and Austwick are expanded to include the Clapham area. We object to this and we would like our catchment area to be reviewed too. We request that the Clapham catchment be shared between Ingleton, as well as Austwick and Bentham. If the proposed catchment area is actually mapped then we would potentially have a geographical area (which incidentally included very little populated land up from Chapel-le-dale) nearly surrounded by a vast and well-populated Bentham primary catchment area which includes plenty of built up places including Low Bentham, High Bentham, Burton- in-Lonsdale, Westhouse, Thornton-in-Lonsdale, Keasdon, Clapham, Newby etc. In the future this proposed catchment would be extremely detrimental to our school and our community. We request a review of our catchment once this consultation is over. When Richard Thornton’s (Burton-in-Lonsdale) closed the authority have the entire catchment to Bentham Primary School even though Thornton and Westhouse pupils live considerably closer to Ingleton and they have always attended our school. Our school catchment suffered because of the Burton closure and we want to avoid a similar error which is detrimental to our school. 39 I have lived here for 51 years, my son attended the village school during the 1970’s to 1980’s. He received an excellent education at the school, Miss xxxxxxx and staff being wonderful teachers. The standard of behaviour was of paramount importance also a wonderful feeling of spirituality. Equally the children in the village who attend the school today receive the same standard of education. They too are always Community polite and well behaved. Dr John Farrer (now deceased) use to try and rent his houses to families with children in order to keep the school open. I feel that the school is the heart of our village and it would be a great loss to all concerned if it had to be closed. 40 I realise there are many very important financial questions involved in Community this proposed school closure. It seems to me however that we are at a point in our history when we are beginning to understand that behind and underneath financial questions are even more important ones to do with community cohesion and initiative and shared responsibility – questions here asking for a brave yes to this schools on-going. 41 This school is a big attraction for new people coming to live here. It has a good reputation and always has had. There are new houses being built which will attract families. This community needs a school, we have Community a lovely play park which is used every day. The school could also have a playgroup which would also bring in revenue. Please think carefully before closure. 42 Many will have already spoken of the importance of our school to the children, families and wider community. I would like to tell you about the village itself. It has an unbelievably strong sense of identity and pride. It Community is proud of its community and heritage. People here know the children and all are about them. You cannot send away the children to another place without causing irreparable damage. Please reconsider. 43 Clapham school should not close. It is good for local children also good Community for village life. 44 I am a resident of Clapham and although my own children are grown up I am horrified at the prospect of Clapham school being closed. Small children are far better being educated in familiar surroundings as close to home as possible, particularly in a rural area, where any travel is inevitably likely to be for a considerable distance. Some children in the Clapham school catchment area already travel several miles to school due to the scattered nature of the dwellings in the parish. All too soon in any case they will have to travel to secondary school and then onto whichever training they chose after leaving school. The government, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North Yorkshire County Council all express a commitment to encouraging young families to remain in rural areas to prevent depopulation of the country side, including protecting all the necessary services. Closing village schools like Clapham is exactly the wrong thing to do. All too easily small villages become retirement ghettoes following the closure of schools, Community shops and often local businesses. When Clapham’s general store closed in 2014 the community rallied round and raised enough money to re-open the shop, which is now flourishing and is owed by volunteers guided by a small number of paid staff. Similarly the B4RN project which brought fibre-optic broadband to the area was installed by volunteers following expert guidance after funds were raised to pay for it. This involved digging several miles of trenches, no easy task, but an indication of local determination. There are pleas to open a school breakfast club and also to provide after school care, which will help parents whose working hours do not fit in with school hours. Many volunteers are available who are willing to help. Clapham is a close-knot and supportive community which I know will do its upmost to support the school in any way possible. It will be a tragedy if it closes. Please do not let it. 45 At a public consultation meeting held in Clapham CE Primary School on March 7 2019 it rapidly became clear that there was a presumption by the officers present that the school would close at the end of the school year 2018-19. Understandably the parents of children currently Community attending the school were strongly opposed to such a closure. There were many other members of the local community also in attendance and those were strongly opposed to closure. I am now 81 years of age, have three adult children and have spent my entire working life in the fields of education and community development, having gained qualifications in educational practice awarded by institutions in Loughborough, Cambridge and London. I have lived in Clapham for 15 years during which time I have gratefully made considerable use of the school’s computer suite, have worked with staff and children on several occasions and latterly have attended sessions organised by the school in collaboration with AgeUK. I therefore have considerable experience of education, of this school and of its community. My reasons for opposing the closure of the school are as follows 1 – Closure of the school would leave Clapham with no primary school and the lack of a school would discourage parents wanting to move into the area from doing so. Inevitably the local community would then become predominantly elderly, Clapham would be a geriatric ghetto with no workers and little work. The end result of such a trend is the depopulation of the country side, a fate which North Yorkshire has good reason to fear. 2 – Such an elderly community would be unbalanced, lop-sided. It would lack the independence, vitality and enterprise of a community benefitting from a healthy mix of young and old. The community would become progressively more dependent upon outside agencies and expensive support services as it aged. 3 – The LEA closed Keasden and Newby Schools many years ago and Ingleton Middle school more recently. I understand that Austwick school is full to capacity so the young children currently attending Clapham School would be compelled to travel by bus into Settle (there is no bus service to Bentham). Many of these children already travel by car or minibus considerable distances from outlying farms and barn conversions in the more isolated parts of the parish – to compel them to travel even further at such a young age is entirely inappropriate. The additional traffic on the roads at the beginning and end of the school day, resulting from the ‘school run’ would inevitably add to the expense, air pollution, traffic congestion and steady toll of road accidents on the infamous A65. 4 – Clapham’s children, if transplanted into other schools, would be in far larger schools where many would feel insecure and anxious. A smaller school in their familiar local neighbourhood is far more appropriate for many children during the early years of their schooling. This is widely accepted in educational circles and is reflected in the much closer distribution of primary schools as compared with the spread of secondary schools. 5 – Clapham has enjoyed the benefits of its own school continuously since 1669 and it would be tragic if so many years of tradition and local support were to be cast aside. It is difficult to believe that, once closed, the school would ever be reopened. The present school building was provided by the generosity and farsightedness of the Farrer Family in 1864 and, to quote the original deed of gift of 1866 ‘it (was) the desire of my uncle and myself to give these schools for the benefit of the parish, unshackled by my other condition than that of pulling down the old school… The vicar for the time being and the Bishop will possess the same power and authority over the new schools that they now exercise over the old and it is not in our power to make any alteration, since we cannot interfere with ecclesiastical rights. Moreover the vicar having only a life interest is also precluded from surrendering any authority over church schools which may be vested in him.’ The enforceability of these assertions surely needs to be tested in law before the school is wiped off the map. 6 – Over the centuries the school has experienced fluctuating fortunes – in 1894 there were 99 children on roll but in 1937 only 15. It is quite possible that numbers could rise again if the school were to be given a little time in which to remedy the effects of what I understand to have been unfortunate episodes in the recent past. 7 – I am aware that realistic plans for the achievement of a sustainable future for the school are currently being made, based on a more accurate count of present and anticipated pupil numbers. I suggest that it would be farsighted of the LEA to give these plans close scrutiny and a fair hearing. 46 Clapham school is a great benefit to the village and one which should be kept. It is inappropriate to consider closing it at this time because the new housing estate is not yet fully built on occupied. If even half of the Community new residents have young children then the number of pupils will rise substantially and avoid any need for closure. 47 How short sighted. Thanks for de-valuing my house. Retired teacher 48 I write with regards to the proposed closure of Clapham Primary School. My family and I run xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxx to Clapham School so we feel a close alliance with the school. Our son attended the school in the late 80’s and early 90’s and was very happy there. I got involved for a while with supervising in the classroom very basic computer skills and helping with trips to Settle swimming pool on Mondays. We felt that it was extra special for us as we were new to the area and our child got to know and make friends with children who were living in the same village to meet them after school which was on extra hours. I felt it was very well run all-encompassing place which answered the needs of all kinds of children whatever their background. Most of the children came from Clapham and surrounding villages so the cost of transport was pretty low and the environmental footfall was minimal. We raised money to finance the school trips and summer camps. There was free football coaching from one of the parents followed by competitions at other schools – with Clapham mostly being the winners. Community All the parents organised their own transport to these events cutting down transport costs again. I am frequently drawn to look over our wall to see a bunch of happy children chasing each other around the school yard and playing games etc. I hear beautiful music being played and singing their hearts out frequently. Last year I went to see the musical ‘Joseph’ performed by the children and it was an amazing wonderful experience. Surely if we could investigate all the reasons for the decline in numbers of children and deal with the cases maybe we could find an answer to some of the problems. This is a very community minded village we have been here for 36 years and have always tried to support the school as best we can particularly with fund raising and will continue to do so as long as it’s necessary. I know that the costs of running a small school are higher per capita but I feel that the enthusiasm and support of those parents with children who are progressing steadily – their education makes up for so much. If they were to be given a chance to continue there would surely be an increased surge of support from parents and the community alike to enable the school to survive. Fund raising ideas:  Friends and families of the school and local community and local businesses asked to donate so much per month – this has been tried before – I don’t know how successful it was.  Big fundraising event in playground or garden – barbeque, entertainment etc. once a year. 49 We have lived in Clapham for 17 years now and the school was always first with Dr & Mrs Farrer. For it to close now is very sad and we need to Community fight to keep our school it is a big part of the village and a very important part. 50 Every village community needs a church, a school, a shop and a pub to strive. You are proposing to remove one of our very necessary amenities. Children and young people are the life blood of our village so to remove the school you are committing an act of vandalism against, not just our, but all small rural communities. The vast majority of Clapham inhabitants were not aware of the Community seriousness of the school closure. In fact the governors were not allowed to publicise any facts regarding this. So when the true situation was explained at the public meeting on 7th March together with the fact that the deadline for consultation responses was 4th April the Community Action Group was formed to support the governors and fight the closure. Good luck to all involved in saving our school from closure! 51 Friends of the Dales (Yorkshire Dales Society), a registered charity, campaigns to promote the social and economic well-being of the local communities in the Dales. We are very concerned that the closure of Clapham Primary School would further reduce the sustainability of its local community. We recognise the challenge of low pupil numbers but to close the school at a time when significant efforts are being made to reverse the decline in the number of younger people living in the Yorkshire Dales National Park would, we suggest, be a regrettable decision. Recently, the Leaders of the 4 constituent district councils and the National Park Authority have agreed an objective in the National Park Management Plan 2019-2024 to ‘Undertake a 5-year programme of measures to promote the National Park as a place to live for younger, Chair of working age households (18-44) to help halt the decline in their Friends of the numbers.’ There are already positive developments in Clapham with the Dales delivery of new housing. We suggest that NYCC needs to have confidence that this plan will deliver. There is a danger that if the potential number of school age children in the catchment grows as a result of these efforts and the school has closed then we will have a capacity problem and the ability to attract young families to the area will be damaged. We will be ‘shooting ourselves in the foot’. We would strongly recommend that the decision on the future of the school is put on hold for at least 12 months to give time for this plan to start delivering. We are also not clear why the previous arrangement of the confederation of the Clapham and Austwick schools cannot be re- established, with a shared Head etc. 52 I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed closure of Clapham Primary School. We have recently moved to Clapham and our daughter is in year 5 at the school. We were concerned about her Parent joining Clapham Primary School, but the school has made her very welcome from the head teacher down and she loves going to school, indeed she skips there each day. We came to Clapham from a London primary school with over 600 kids. I have to say that I have not noticed any difference in our daughters new school work as she is thriving in the smaller classes, with her maths and English well on track. She has built up really good friendships with the other kids in her class and the fact she is with younger and older kids in her class and school, mean’s she has learnt better social skills as she has to interact with different age groups. We are very, very happy with the school and the education she is receiving. We do not want to her to go to a new school, either in Austwick or Bentham as she and we, will lose the community of meeting people at the school gate and walking home with them. As many of her friends live in the village, we can spontaneously decide to have kids round or go to the park, if she was in another school she would lose that freedom as we or they would have to travel. If she has to go to another school, we then have to drive, this means leaving earlier, arriving back later, parking and dropping her off and managing all that with another daughter in another school. Even a cursory calculation of an extra 20 mins extra travel in a morning and 20 mins in an evening creates an extra 120 hours per year of time lost (over three working weeks), 120 additional hours of pollution just for one family alone. My daughter has already told me how scared she is of a new primary school, she has to learn new routines, cope with new teachers, have to make new friends and this will be only one year after coming to Clapham where she has settled. She really doesn’t want to have to go through all of this again and then have to do it for when she leaves for a secondary school. I am worried about the impact of this change on her education and social friendships. She loves the friends she has and is worried she’ll lose them. The reported financial deficit is small in the grand scheme of things, as I understand it many, many small village schools such as Clapham are running a similar deficit in North Yorkshire. Clapham has a well-known, proven and demonstrable track record of supporting and helping the community in these situations. The village shop was reopened after closure by the community raising money and has become an award winning shop. The initial proposal for broadband in the village was limited to houses in the village, this was rejected and £300,000 was raised so that all the village would have access to gigabit fibre. The community has already started an action group to provide money to the school to ensure the financial deficit is not an issue. A number of significant donations have already been made. The financial deficit is not an issue and should not be made into a major problem. As a resident of Clapham, I am also concerned over the closure of the school on the village itself. As Clapham is a designated rural school, there is a presumption against school closure and that additional factors that need to be considered, one of these is ‘The overall and long term impact on local people and the community of closure of the village school and of the loss of the building as a community facility’. It is not clear to me what consideration, if any, has been made by the consultation on the local people and community. The primary school is one of the main features of the village along with the shop, the church and the pub. The loss of the school will have a massive detrimental effect on Clapham itself as it will remove one of the reasons for families to come to the village. If there is no primary school, families will choose other villages to live and the average age of the village will gradually increase. Any number of different groups have recognised this ‘geriatrification’ issue including Craven Council and the Dales parks authority. The proposal to close Clapham primary School is perverse as it goes against this strategy. The loss of the primary school will impact the village shop as well as the constant stream of visitors picking up groceries before and after school could be lost if the school closes. This would be a devastating impact to the profitability of the shop and could mean that could have to close as well. So many of these 'institutions' are linked together so that as one changes it has an impact elsewhere. The impact of closing the school would mean the heart of the village being lost forever at a time when the village needs young families to be brought in. The largest estate authority in the village is planning to bring families in to newly refurbished properties. This would mean further demand on the primary school at a time when a closure is being proposed. I also note that that the consultation document has an incorrect number of houses in the NYCC forecast model. The actual number of houses is significantly more than the numbers stated. This variance in itself undermines the NYCC case for falling pupil numbers at the school. There is a community response that details this as well which will go into this in far more detail than I can in this response. The lack of a permanent head is a serious issue and one that needs to be addressed. Part of this problem is that once a school starts a consultation process, it is 'marked' and everybody assumes that the closure will simply go ahead. Indeed speaking to another parent in a different area at the weekend, she just assumed that the consultation process was pointless and that NYCC were simply going through the motions and regardless of what the parents do or say, the schools will simply close. I am sure that councillors comments at the parents initial consultation that NYCC is simply not going through the motions is correct. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy that NYCC needs to address. Most schools of this size have some sort of shared head type system, it is unclear to me why Clapham Primary school does not have a shared head to reduce costs and to enable shared resources. The interim head at Clapham has done an excellent job in the time she has been there, and she should be encouraged to stay or another interim head put in place whilst a more permanent shared head is sought. This takes time and that’s the one resource we do not have. I understand there were issues in the past over a shared head, and as we were not here during that period, I cannot comment on them. However I do note that just about every other school had made this shared head work and given more time, it's perfectly obvious that Clapham can as well. There needs to be the desire from NYCC and the Diocese to make this work, I'm not clear that I see this necessary commitment from NYCC and from the Diocese. Overall I do not believe that NYCC has made a valid case for closure of the school, the number of pupils will increase, the financial situation is no different to many other rural schools of a similar size and indeed is easily turned around through community effort, funds are already being put in place. The major concern is the lack of a permanent head which is, in my opinion, partly due to this premature closure consultation. With a school under a secure financial basis and with demonstrable rising pupil numbers, there is no reason why Clapham Primary School should close and indeed can become a jewel in the NYCC portfolio and an exemplar of how rural schools can thrive in these days of large academies. 53 We are parents of a child who currently attends Clapham School. We want to make you aware of what a difference Clapham school has made Parent to our daughter. We currently live just inside Bentham parish so Clapham is not our catchment school (although it used to be years ago), but we choose Clapham as it is a small Church of England school, our daughter has confident issues, so we thought a smaller school would suit her best and we were right. Even though some would say Bentham school is a small school too, to our daughter this would have been a big school, and knowing our daughter she would not have thrived like she has at Clapham, at Clapham we have seen how her confidence has grown, she still has issues with certain situations but has come on leaps and bounds which I put down to Clapham school, smaller classrooms means more time with the teacher, and the family like atmosphere means the children look out for each other, the older look after the younger and the younger look up to the older. I've talked to other parents who have brought their child from bigger schools, and how much more they have thrived since they have been at Clapham. In a world where mental health is a big reality, a positive start to a child's school life is of upmost important, not all children do well in big schools, so the option of a small schools in our area for our children who require that setting is really important, if you close Clapham school you are taking that option away. At the public meeting one of your reasons for closing Clapham, was you thought the children's education will be compromised, but I believe this is wrong. Smaller classrooms are a benefit to the children, not a disadvantage, they spend more time with their teacher and they also learn from other children. Children can learn so much more from children of different ages not just from their peers and this is what they get at Clapham. Please can you consider carefully before making your final decision. 54 In 1953 my parents, brother and I, came to live in Clapham, from Australia, when my Father inherited the Ingleborough Estate. During the following 60 years, until they both had died by 2014, they were focused on encouraging families with young children to occupy the over 50 Estate houses. (The Trustees of the Estate now have continued this Community policy.) My parents were very involved with the school, my Father a governor and my Mother helped with reading and organising a sunflower competition for the village and school, for example. They firmly believed, as do I, that a thriving village school is a vital part of a thriving village. 55 Closing the school would be devastating for Clapham village. Local children reply on the school and closing it would mean they need to be taken by car to another village/town – more pollution and less Community community spirit. The school provides jobs and enables community involvement. 56 Submission on behalf of The Ingleborough Estate, Clapham The Farrer family have owned the Ingleborough Estate for over 200 years and in 1864 built Clapham School. Through its involvement with the village over the generations the emphasis has been on providing affordable rents to those living and working in the locality. The houses are only rented to those who will be living in them as their primary full-time residence. Between 2015-2019 most of the village housing has been Village transferred into The Farrer Family Charitable Trust whose objectives Stakeholder and activities include “the promotion of social inclusion within the area”. Without a village school adding diversity, breadth, youth and vibrancy to village life, this aim will be hard to achieve. Since 2014, post the death of the late Dr John Farrer, who owned the Estate for 60 years, it has been administered by the trustees, including myself as Resident Trustee in the village. Over the past 2 years the Estate has been engaged in a huge programme of housing renovation, prioritising bringing young families, where appropriate, into the refurbished houses. Currently the average age of tenants in Estate properties is relatively high with 51% of houses let to 60-85 year olds. When houses become available, the trustees have adopted a policy of letting to families with primary-school aged children. 3 families have moved into the village over the past 6 months. Approval for planning applications for 6 houses has been granted (3 x 3 bedroom barn conversions, 3 new homes on Station Road on land sold to a developer) and we have a number of planning applications in the pipeline over the next 2-3 years, some of which will include affordable family housing. In summary, the Estate is continuing to do its utmost to make Clapham a desirable place to live for a cross- section of age groups and society. Clapham is ideally situated on the A65 at the gateway to the Dales, with its superfast broadband, it offers potential for those able to work from home and for new businesses, especially those targeted at tourism. The village school provides an essential part of the fabric of balanced village in the Dales. The closure of the school would be contrary to government policy of supporting and bringing sustainable growth to rural communities and boosting rural areas. Clapham would turn into a village for the retired and a source for holiday homes, this would be a disaster for the community. With the shop, the church tower and the implementation of B4RN, the community and Estate have a unique relationship with good track record of working together to make things happen. This should be no exception with the school. 57 This should not be happening when the school is viable, rated highly by Ofsted and serves the community encouraging young families to settle in the area. We ourselves have seen two of our children attend Clapham Primary and go on to achieve greater prospects! Our granddaughter now attends Clapham school and is extremely happy and making Community wonderful progress, from our experience pupil numbers have remained similar, and pupils of Clapham school have always been received with praise from subsequent schools. Closing the school would be a grave mistake with a detrimental effect on the community. 58 I feel it is premature to close Clapham School as it has more pupils than some very small schools, new family homes are being built in Clapham and the surrounding areas, the school is being well run - from feedback from parents. The community is very much behind the school – this is shown by the Community action group which has been very active since the open meeting in the village hall. Clapham school has had a history of working along with other schools in North Craven and this could continue and even be expanded. 59 Clapham school belongs in Clapham. Without the school Clapham will become a dying community. The children and parents bring a youthful air to the village. Is there anything better than hearing the happy voices of children? Many children come from outlying farms. They need the social interaction which a small school like Clapham can provide. There Community is a thriving shop where the children are known personally so they are able to conduct their own transactions – a good learning process. I know there is a pre-school nursery run by mothers at Bethel Chapel because they feel a need for their children to play together. 60 I have noticed how the school has flourished since out new head, took Governor over in September 2018. Morale is now high, not only within the school but within the whole community since the publication of the consultation document. Everyone is eager to rally round and help the governing body address the issues needed to turn the school round fully. We need time, but I believe this is possible. Full details of suggestions and observations can be found in our governing body submission. The school now has a good reputation, thanks to Mrs Marshall. Parents want to keep their children in Clapham school. We are still receiving enquiries for places! 61 Craven District Council are keen to encourage young people to stay in their communities. They constantly tell us of the need to provide affordable housing to facilitate this. On ‘location, location, location, Phil Spener and Kirstie Allsopp emphasise how important ‘good schools’ are Grandparent to parents contemplating moving. of previous I fail to see how closing a good school will facilitate either of these pupil objectives. If you want young people to stay you should be aiming to help not hinder these objectives. Perhaps you should pay more attention to community spirit. 62 Having lived and worked in Clapham Parish for five generations, our family is strongly opposed to the closure of our local primary school. It is unacceptable that future generations might lose the immeasurable worth of attending primary school within their own local community due to a recent short period of inadequate head teaching and poor support from NYCC that has resulted in some parents in the parish taking their children to other schools. With the right action plan in place, we firmly Community/ believe that the drop in numbers is temporary and that they will soon Previous recover to a more sustainable level. Clapham Primary is now at a stage Pupils/ where the acceptance of more direct involvement from the parish Parents/ community will help develop a robust new model for the successful Governor running of smaller rural schools. This would support the second priority listed as part of your own "Stronger Communities" initiative: services for children, young people and families. NYCC can choose to be ground breakers, withdraw the proposal to close our school and instead give our community the opportunity to work with the staff and governors over the next few years and build a vibrant and secure future for our treasured Church of England Primary School. 63 We write in support of our community in asking NYCC to withdraw the notice for closure regarding Clapham primary school. It has become apparent at local meetings the school has suffered from a lack of leadership and therefore clear direction. With correct support from Community yourselves and the community the school has a perfectly viable future. It organisation - is clearly unacceptable to deny young children the opportunity of being Newby brought up through their village school and all the positive education that Methodist comes from that. I draw your attention to NYCC`s "Stronger Church communities initiative" which refers to you working with communities to provide services to those communities. This is your opportunity to get involved in a positive manner, please take it. 64 I have two children at Clapham Primary school, age 8 and 5 years. We moved to the area over two years ago and the school was a huge part of the decision to settle in this particular area. My daughter previously attended a much larger school in which she was very unhappy. Since Parent attending Clapham Primary she has really flourished both educationally and socially. One of the main benefits of this small, rural school is the mixed aged classes and the many opportunities to develop relationships with other children of different ages. I believe my daughter receives extra attention and a higher standard of education by being in a smaller class. We have very recently moved into Clapham village itself and currently walk to and from school every day and involve ourselves in village life, this benefits our overall health and well-being. Clapham is a very supportive, friendly and family focused community which is centred around the school. The other parents have been very supportive and welcoming to us as a family and we would be devastated to lose our school and witness the effect on this wonderful village. 65 I have two children who attend Clapham school, I am originally from the local area but moved away 20 years ago. Just over two years ago my wife and I decided to relocate over 180 miles to give our children a better life, both educationally and personally. We feel that village life Parent benefits our whole family and both of our children are thriving at Clapham Primary school. The standard of education and dedication of the staff cannot be faulted. I feel it would be a huge loss for our family and the wider community to close Clapham school. 66 Closing Clapham Church of England Primary School in my view would be very damaging to the future of the community, the village economy and the wonderful vibrancy of Clapham Village. The village enjoys a strong community due in no small part to the young ones, both children and parents, and with the imminent completion of the excellent new housing estate will continue to provide suitable housing for young Resident families. Communication links by road and rail to centres of employment are also first class and on the doorstep. Closing the Primary School will mean that young families will no longer find Clapham an attractive place to live with the inevitable consequence that the community will atrophy and the local economy falter - as evidenced in other rural communities. 67 I think the Council and the Diocese are being very short-sighted about the school. From the information that is now coming into the community I can see that Clapham school is improving and pupil numbers can only go up given how many new families are moving into Clapham village and the number of houses being built in the parish. Clapham school Community needs more time to find other schools to share costs with - a minimum of 2-3 years rather than a few months. The community will stand by the school and donate time and money. I ask that the council and Diocese give the school and the community more time. 68 As a former teacher I am deeply saddened to hear of the possible closure of our local school, Clapham C of E Primary School. One of the reasons given was financial. As a result of the consultation process the school has no new students registered for September it is not surprising that the finances are going to take a dive. In the last year, the student numbers had started to rise slightly, suggesting that the decline in numbers had been arrested and the housing being planned for the village would be likely to provide extra students. The other was that it will be difficult to deliver the curriculum in such a small school. I have Community had experience teaching mixed ability classes at secondary level, with creative planning, it is possible to enable students to progress. The same process can be applied to planning for different age groups. Where specialist knowledge is needed, staff and resources could be shared between neighbouring schools. There are advantages for the students who attend a small school which outweigh the disadvantages. A small school provides a nurturing environment where the small class sizes enable the education to be tailored to meet the needs of the individual students. Staff are able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each student with greater ease than in large classes. This can lead to higher expectations for each pupil. The pupils are likely to be highly engaged in the caring community of the school, which will lead to a greater sense of personal responsibility for the community as a whole. I would like to urge you to think again and to realise that closing our school is short sighted and will be a detriment to the community as a whole. 69 In response to the proposed plans to close Clapham Primary School I would like to make the following comments; The consultation document released contains factually incorrect information regarding the current numbers on role and net capacity of Bentham Community Primary School conveying misleading information about the potential to accept prospective pupils. With 8 classrooms, Bentham CP School has a net capacity of 240 not 147 as stated in the consultation document. Even under the current PAN of 25 this gives the school a capacity of 175. With 113 on roll plus 17 Nursery, Bentham CP School has capacity to take all of the pupils that currently attend Clapham, not ‘some’ as stated. Any additional intake by Austwick Primary School would require the school to admit beyond their PAN of 10 and well beyond their net capacity of 60. Deadlines have passed for any changes or consultations to take place on a change to their admissions policy for entry in September 2019. Although as a VA school they are their own admissions authority they are still bound by the national Schools Admission Code and the correct process and deadlines should have been adhered to. Any potential to accept additional pupils has been facilitated by the recent extension of the school building. This extension has been presented by Austwick Primary School and The Diocese of Leeds to stakeholders, the local authority, parish council, other schools Chair of and on the Yorkshire Dales National Park planning application Governors C/04/618C as to provide ‘new group space, adjacent group room and storage space’ for existing pupils only, not increase the overall capacity of the school or look to increase numbers on roll. Had the true intentions of the build been communicated then it may have received more objections due to the detrimental effect this would have on neighbouring schools, including Clapham C of E School and the case supporting its closure. Whilst parents have a right to choose their child's school, there are many instances when a first choice of school is oversubscribed or full and therefore a second choice has to be taken. Second choices, and the potential for more children to attend other schools will not be a consideration if Austwick are able to increase their school size by adding an additional classroom and increasing their net capacity. If this extension was to meet the space requirements of current numbers at Austwick then the school admitting a further 20+ children would create the need for even more space and further building work. In regards to the proposed changes to the catchment areas, it is essential and in the best interest of the local primary schools that catchment areas are clearly defined and understood so that they do not cause any difficulty in the strategic planning of future/potential numbers or finance for each of the schools involved. 70 As someone familiar with Clapham and its community I feel that closing the school would be a mistake. Schools play a very important role in communities, particularly so in smaller villages like Clapham, and to lose Relative of that would be to deprive the village of so much potential. It would almost Pupil certainly deter families from moving into the village as parents would be far less likely to move into a village where the nearest school is 2 miles away and therefore beyond reasonable walking distance necessitating a car journey. This leads into another problem as traffic would increase in both Clapham and Austwick as parents drive their children to school down narrow roads thus increasing the likelihood of accidents. Closing the school would also deny the children a chance to receive a more personal education. I work in a school myself and know full well that larger class sizes mean that each child receives less attention from the teacher, not through choice but necessity. Small schools like Clapham provide an opportunity for children to receive far more support and attention than they would in a larger school and as such are more likely to receive a more engaging education as the teaching team is able to build a better relationship with the smaller number of pupils. 71 We feel let down that my 2 children were accepted into the school less than a year ago and now it is danger of closure, there was no mention that the school could be at risk when the authorities accepted my request for them to start. It would be detrimental for our children to have to move school more than once within one academic year, especially since my youngest started in reception. Looking at other church schools locally if this was to close, Austwick primary school would be the nearest. Austwick school is a small oversubscribed school that would not adequately be able accommodate my children and others moving Parent from Clapham school, we feel the overcrowded school, potentially to be even more overcrowded could be a problem. We do wish that our children attend a church school and this is important to us as a family. We feel that shutting this school when there are no adequate church schools near is unfair to the children. Clapham school is a small community village school and always has been and should remain that way. We think if it gets the support it needs there is no reason it can’t flourish again. 72 The case for closure is not convincing and fails to show why the school should be closed. Schools on the designated list of rural schools should remain open and be supported by the local authority. The impact of the closure on the local community has not been properly considered in accordance with accepted national guidance. The impact of the consultation on the school has been significant and has affected the Community confidence of parents in the school, which consequently, has impacted on the number of children selecting the school as their first preference for the next school year. The Council needs to recognise the implications of their actions and provide educational and financial support to allow sufficient time for the level of confidence to return to normal levels. 73 I am an Ex pupil of Clapham Primary. I was very happy there and with the education I revived. It was a very friendly atmosphere and the staff there were very welcoming. Lots of people think there are lots of disadvantages in going to a small school but I didn't find this at all. I would hate to see Clapham school shut down as there would be fewer Ex Pupil families, with children, move to Clapham and therefore even fewer children in the village. I would also be very disappointed if no other children would get to have the same primary school experience that I had at this school. 74 I have a daughter in year 5 at Clapham Primary School and I am extremely happy with the education she is receiving. She moved from a Parent larger school to join in year 5 and she has really thrived in the smaller, friendly environment. She is on target with her maths and literacy and I am very impressed with the other subjects at the school including the art and she has been learning three musical instruments, which is something she didn’t have the opportunity to do in her previous school. Although she is being taught in a mixed age class with less than 20 children I feel she gets a lot more teacher attention than she would in a class of 30 in a larger school. I also feel that her being taught alongside children of different ages and children with special needs is extremely beneficial to her. It has also taught her what human differences mean in practice. The school’s closure would have a detrimental effect on her as she would have to start again with building a relationship with a new teacher and new friends for Year 6 which is a critical year because of SATs and preparation for secondary school. I am very concerned about the other school choices in the area and don’t feel any of them will meet my daughter’s needs. The nearest Church of England School at Austwick, is very crowded and lacks physical inside space. I am worried that adding several additional children to the school will mean the children’s education will suffer. Bentham school is not C of E and its results show that it’s not performing as well as hoped so I don’t feel this is an equivalent option for my daughter’s education. Being relatively new to the school I don’t know the full history but understand the school’s problems began under previous school leadership. Now things are on the up and three new families have moved to the village and put their children in the school and another child has returned. We all shouldn’t be punished for some problems in the past. The system should support small schools through difficult times rather than closing them just because of poor leadership at one point in time. If Clapham school closes we would no longer be able to walk to and from school, which we do every day benefitting both our physical and mental health. Instead we would be increasing traffic to another village, polluting the environment and having the additional expense of travel. I have also heard that there are traffic problems at drop-off and pick-up time in Austwick and that the school bus even takes children out of school early to avoid the worst of the traffic and that is far from ideal and means children on the school bus are missing valuable education time. Additionally, as a resident of Clapham village I feel that the whole community will suffer with the closure of the school. I am not aware that a proper community impact assessment has been done. At a time when the government claims to be supporting rural education and rural life and is trying to address the lack of services in rural communities the school closure would take away yet another local service. There are also new houses being built and rented in Clapham village itself and in nearby villages including Ingleton and Horton in Ribblesdale. This will all impact on school places and the demand for Church of England school places so it is short-sighted to close the school now just as we are expecting new families to be moving to the area. I have personally talked to other families in the area and eight parents of toddlers have said they would like to send their children to Clapham in the future if the school remains open and that is only people I've personally managed to speak to in a very short space of time. I feel this shows there is great interest and a real need to keep the school open. Please keep Clapham primary school open. 75 Shutting this wonderful school will rip a community of old and young apart. The education these children are receiving in this family Parent environment is fantastic. Every other local school is either full or far away. Why would anyone want to shut this school. It is ludicrous. 76 The idea of suggesting the school should close has been put forward too soon. There has been no pre-consultation. The school is a victim of a failed head teacher. He was given no support when he took leadership and should have done with his lack of experience. Did it not ring alarm bells with County, the Diocese and Governors as to why so many parents took their children out? Now that he has left parents have brought their children back and still continue to do so. I have been told at parent’s evenings on two occasions that my child would struggle in a bigger class of children and would most likely get overlooked. She has Parent excelled this year with her subjects, so how can county say her education is suffering? The schools that are being suggested as to take our children are not suitable. Ingleton and Bentham are not COFE. Austwick is far too small to take our children and as far as I'm concerned would not be a safe environment to do so. Giggleswick is too far to travel. I would like to ask where has all the money gone from closing Rathmell and Horton -in Ribblesdale schools? Surely the money saved there could be put towards Clapham until the numbers rise again. (Which they will) 77 To whom it may concern, I am a former pupil at Clapham Primary School. I believe the school should stay open as it is the heart of our local community of which I still belong. Since leaving education, I have continued to live and work in the area, running a business supporting the local community, and a member of the local Landowners Association. The friends that I made at Clapham Primary are still my friends now. Those relationships and bonds formed in a small rural village school have stayed with me. There are a significant number of these friends still living, working and running their own businesses in the local area too, which shows the importance of the school to supporting the local economy. Clapham Primary has seen dips in numbers at different times, but as a community has been able to keep regenerating, particularly through the support of the Ingleborough Estate. We are currently seeing new families moving into the village and surrounding area with parents choosing to send their child/children to the school over the last 12 months. This trend is looking to continue, should the school stay open. Clapham is unique in this respect. We have a significant number of houses that are rented out by the Estate. The Estate have Community always supported the school fully and this likely to continue. Therefore, there are many opportunities for future families to move to the area if the village has a school for children to attend. Closure of the school will impact on the community. We will see fewer families moving into the area, leading to a decline in local amenities, such as the local community shop. The school uses the village shop as do parents who come to the village to drop off or collect their children. They will have lower footfall through the door without reasons for parents to pop in. Very few parents would have a reason to call into Clapham with the closure of the school, particularly during the winter months when there are fewer tourists around. I believe that the village will slowly decline without the young people to keep it going and I find this very worrying as I look around the Yorkshire Dales and see a lot of these rural communities struggling to survive. Please give the school time to show that numbers at the school can and will increase again, and that they can continue to education the local children who are the future of our community. 78 I grew up in the local area and left to go to university and then qualify as Community a teacher. Following this it took me many years to find work and return to the area and I may again have to move in order to progress in my career. I am in my early 30s and experiencing first-hand the difficulties of affordable home ownership and rental, facilities for younger people and families and employment in the area. I can see that the Clapham area has an increasingly old population and many second homes. This is creating an unbalanced community. Closing the school will further exacerbate these problems. There will be less draw for families to move to or stay in the area, less jobs and less community cohesion in the pastoral activities a school brings to a local area. Though the school is small, as it sits in a small village it has no less impact on the local area that a bigger school. I understand the financial difficulties the school is facing but I feel that the local authority and church should be able to put something in place to continue running the school, at least until an agreed review date. In that time I believe it would be useful for you to work with the national park authority to address the problem of attracting families to the area. I was also shocked that in looking at numbers over the past few years it has only taken 2 years of low numbers for the decision to be made to close the school. On this basis I feel that the school should be supported to run at its current high standards in order to change the pattern of low numbers. 79 We are parents of two children currently attending Clapham school and are full time residents of Clapham village. The chance of losing our school is unthinkable. We chose to live in Clapham for its vibrancy and sense of community. The way in which the people of Clapham work together is very special. The school forms an important part of this community. Both our children have attended Clapham Primary School since they were old enough to do so and their development has been very pleasing. Our son is on the autistic spectrum and has exceeded all of our expectations, a view shared by all of the health and social care professionals who have worked with him. He has gone from been non- verbal and prone to violent temper tantrums to communicating with the support of his teaching assistants and interacting with children of all ages and abilities. We believe that the dedication of the teachers and carers has been instrumental in bringing this about. Likewise, our daughter has developed and is growing into a confident young lady, exceeding all her targets. Her social skills have progressed markedly and mixing with a wide range of ages has really helped in this respect. We are sure she will have made friends for life. As parents, we believe Parent that the supportive relationships we have developed with other parents are something that could only have been made at a smaller rural school. All the children at Clapham Primary School are treated as individuals and they benefit from excellent care and support. There is no doubt the school has had leadership issues in recent years, resulting in parents removing their children for very personal reasons. However, as far as we are aware, there have been no cases of parents removing children because they were dissatisfied with their educational progress. In our view, and in the view of all those we have spoken to in and around the village of Clapham, the closure of the school would be very short sighted. Yes, the number of pupils on the role is falling as some children leave for secondary school, but other parents are considering sending their children to Clapham or have chosen to move their children back to the school now that our previous management problems are behind us. We feel that we are being punished for some bad decisions on the part of the previous school leadership team and need your support, not threats of closure! 80 The proposed decision to close Clapham C of E primary school is ill founded and short term. The pupil numbers at Clapham School are currently 28 but due to house building currently going on in Clapham and projected incoming families to Ingleborough estates the school number is very likely to increase. Not many years ago the pupil roll at Community Austwick School in the neighbouring village was below 30. However, now this school is at capacity and is currently being extended. Closure of Clapham school would put undue pressure upon neighbouring schools. Taking away a village school takes the heart out of a community. 81 You are trying to encourage young families into the area yet proposals like this deter them from remaining in the area? It doesn’t make sense. Community Start incentivising families to live here and kick-start the Dales economy. 82 My children have previously attended the school and will be doing so again from May. I am deeply saddened that you are even considering closing such a lovely, warm and nurturing environment that works closely with the families and wider community. Clapham is a small village community and the school is instrumental in keeping families Parent within the village which in turn supports the local housing system, the shops, bars, cafes, pubs and restaurant. The school is really at the heart of the community and I am outraged that the council should consider its closure. 83 My children are due to join the school, in May. They left the school as the past head teacher was not active within the community and defensive rather than curious when things went wrong. The school does not have a full wraparound care facility so it is cut off at source for many Parent families, if this was sorted more children could attend. The school is a hub within Clapham village and it would be a huge shame to see it close. 84 As a father of children that went to Clapham school and wish to return when the school is safe from closure, I feel it is a great shame that the school may close. The children of the village deserve a school, if they Parent offered a wraparound care service the school would also be accessible to other children whose parents work. 85 My daughter is currently in year 4 at Clapham Primary School. She loves the school, so much so that in the school holidays she is constantly asking when she can go back to school. Both my husband and I are extremely happy with her quality of education. She has been at Clapham Primary since we moved to the area in October 2013. She is in a mixed age classroom. She has always had excellent reports and feedback from teachers. We live in Ingleton Village, across from Ingleton School, but I drive every morning to Clapham which is such a friendly and welcoming school. The school closing would have a huge impact on Parent our daughter and we feel if she was forced to go to a bigger school through no choice of ours, her learning would suffer. We don’t feel the other schools in the area would meet her needs. It is a worry that so many new houses are being built in the local area and by closing the smaller schools there will not be places available for future buyers and their children. We also have an almost one year old daughter who we plan to bring to Clapham school in the future. In the past my daughter has used the after-school care when I was working and she thoroughly enjoyed it. 86 Cannot see the point of building new houses in Clapham for families Community when on the doorstep is a lovely village school rated as outstanding, ready to welcome new children. If financially the school is not viable how come Clapham is one of a handful in North Yorkshire who have a surplus. The school has always been a credit to the village with many children receiving a wonder grounding for future education. I feel we are being led into a cauldron that’s being stirred along by foregone conclusion! 87 There are enough children in the catchment area to keep the school going. New housing will potentially increase the numbers of children in the next few years. The NYCC should be concentrating on finding a headteacher, advertising locally and nationally. A headteacher who wants to improve the school would make the school attract pupils from outside catchment. Nearby schools do not have space and again Ex Parent building new houses in Ingleton and Bentham will take up space school places there. Traffic and journeys for parents would be increased even if school bus transport was provided to one school (probably Bentham!) children would still need transporting by parents if going to after school clubs or if attending other nearby schools. 88 Schools are the life blood of small communities, where lifelong friendships develop for both children and adults. Schools attract young families to the area and bring ???? to the community. Clapham is a village of great beauty, yet many new houses are being built, what is the Community point to attract families to the village if there is no school for the children to attend? I think it would be a very sad day that Clapham loses its school. 89 In 1953 my parents, brother and I came to live in Clapham, from Australia, when my farther inherited the Ingleborough Estate. During the next 60 years, until they had both died by 2014, they were focused on encouraging families with young children to occupy one of the over 50 estate houses. (The trustees of the estate now have continued this policy.) Community They were very involved with the school, my father a governor and my mother helping the children with reading, organising school/ village sunflower festivals, for example. They firmly believed, as do I, that a thriving school is a vital part of a village community. 90 Important to maintain a local school in Clapham for the amount of pupils and also local future pupils, to attract young families into the community. Community Look at staring resources within 1/ 2 other schools i.e. headteachers, admin. Promote more voluntary support at schools where appropriate. 91 I hope the school will not be closed as this would affect village life. How are young couples with families going to come into the village if there is no school for their children to go to. Community If the children have to be transported to other schools this effects the environment with extra traffic on the roads. Rural life should be encouraged not taken away from us. 92 Recently closed Horton in Ribblesdale School. I know of 2 families who have moved into the area who would have benefitted. Clapham will become another pensioner retreat, like many other villages. Many younger people with families could take advantage of the trains to Community commute, work from home with efficient Wi-Fi. Clapham has a whole new housing development and I’m sure the availability of a Village school would have been an attractive selling point. 93 It seems a shame to close a school that children from the village can Community walk to, thereby cutting down on transport pollution, especially when so many new houses have been built in the village and the Farrer Estate actively encourages families with children to live in their houses. Once the school closes there will be no going back and it is just another nail in the coffin for another village. 94 We moved to Clapham 18 months ago. Part of our reason for doing so was the thriving community. Closing the school would have an immediate negative effect both on the Clapham community and on the wider Craven environment. It would undoubtedly make the village less appealing to families. The current Neighbourhood Plan (in development) has looked hard at making the village suitable for younger and mid-age people, many of whom are likely to have want or have children. Closing the school would mean that only those that can afford to take time out of Community their day to transport them to a neighbouring school will be able to consider living here. In effect, that will make Clapham a location only suited to those whose children are secondary school age or older, with all the incumbent public transport requirements needed to help them travel independently. Furthermore, driving children in Clapham to a neighbouring school increases car movements, greenhouse gas emissions and particulates. This needs to be taken into account. 95 The announcement to the village community on 1st February 2019 that Clapham C.E. Primary School was entering consultation pending permanent closure, came as a deep shock and out of the blue. Reassurances about the viability of the school had only been announced in August 2018. Any school is the heart of a community, especially so for a rural village. In Clapham we have a vibrant community, but this vitality is now at severe risk if the school were to close. We are told by authorities that village schools are important to rural sustainability, bolstered by official policies that make it clear their special status must be considered in all aspects of planning – I ask myself, has this legislation been properly considered in respect of the closure plans for Clapham School? If the Church of England school closes, will the church be next? If the parents have to drive their children miles away to be schooled, will they anymore spend their money in our parish? The sustainability of our village and our way of life is genuinely at threat by this pending decision. Clapham is not a community that will stand by and let this happen. It is a pity the decision regarding closure was only announced two weeks before the consultation opened. In Community Clapham we have a strong sense of community action; witness the re- opening of the village shop as a profitable community run enterprise, further the community installation of 1GB/s fibre-optic broadband direct into residential and commercial properties across the parish as well as other community projects such as the high quality play park from which tourists popularly benefit as well as local children. There are human resources in the parish with a strong educational and commercial background who would be willing to contribute time and resources to a recovery action plan for the School. As an Emeritus university professor with longstanding experience as admissions tutor in a leading Russell Group university, I know the importance of marketing to promote an educational establishment and to create the conditions that will facilitate the foundation of a vibrant student community. Therefore, I was genuinely shocked to hear from local parents that no open days had been held to promote admissions at Clapham School. No wonder pupil numbers have fallen in the last couple of years. When closure plans are announced at the very moment that prospective parents are deciding where to send their children to school, is it any wonder a spiral of decline in numbers results? This has all happened so quickly – the school seems never to have been given a chance! Talking to fellow villagers I am reassured to learn of the formation of the Clapham School Action Group and I will personally offer my services voluntarily to help the sustainability of the school if it survives this attack. It is ironic that the planning authorities cited sustainability of Clapham School as part of their support for the construction of 22 new homes in the village, yet the school itself is threatened with closure before they are even fully built, let alone occupied. At a time when a majority of schools across England are running deficits one wonders why a school with the potential of Clapham’s for educational excellence has been singled out for closure? Please give it a chance. 96 The school is integral to the community, and its closure would take the heart from the village. Closure may also affect the community owned shop, as parents and children would not pop in. It would also affect the Community church with many activities throughout the year involving both the church and the school. 97 We are residents in the village of Clapham and have had four generations of children attending the primary school. The impact of the school closing would be devastating for the community. We are a farming family and feel that this is undermining rural life by taking away Community local services. We know there is a lot of building of new houses in the area which will bring in new families so it's short-sighted to close the school at this time. We are also concerned for the businesses in the village which benefit from people coming into the village for the school. 98 We are residents in the village of Clapham. The impact of the school closing would be devastating for the community. We feel that this is undermining rural life by taking away local services. We know there is a lot of building of new houses in the area which will bring in new families Community so it's short-sighted to close the school at this time. We are also concerned for the businesses in the village which benefit from people coming into the village for the school. 99 Having previously worked as a secretary at the school for 26 years, I have seen the role the school plays in the wider community. Its closure Community would impact the whole village, including the shop, the church and the residents. 100 I have a child in year 5 at the moment, who loves going to Clapham, he lacks confidence. I have had two other of my children that have been through the school and have got a very good education, one who had autism. As well I have a one-year-old girl who I want to go to Clapham. My son who is a Clapham at the moment is better suited to a small school, we tried Ingleton primary and he struggled as it was too big, this would also be the same if he went to Bentham. When we were looking for schools, we wanted our children to go to a church of England for the values and, for the children to be in a school that is a family, which also Parent opens out in the wider community. Clapham will lose its community if you close the school. There are lots of new houses being built in Clapham, families won't want to move into them if there is no school. This is just a dip in numbers at the moment but we have two new children starting soon and parents wanting to send their children to Clapham school. If our children all move to the other surrounding schools what happens to those schools, they will have too many children and new families who move into the area with have to go out of there catchment because their local school is full. Horton school was shut and now there are new houses going to be built, where are those children going to go to school if Austwick is full? Please don't shut the school it has so much going for it, wonderful staff, a family atmosphere, we need to be celebrating outstanding schools, why should we send our children to only |Ofsted "good". 101 Closure of this school and others like it not only have a devastating impact on the families that use it but on the wider community too. So many small rural villages in North Yorks are at risk of becoming solely populated by retired people and holiday homes as young families don’t Community have the services needed to live in them. The building of more local housing suitable for young families could see a rise in pupil numbers for this school in coming years but again, a lack of school will dissuade such communities to move in. Please don’t close this school. 102 I am a resident of Clapham village and I am devastated to hear about the threat of closure for the school. I have lived here for 33 years and I feel that the school closing will mean that younger people won't move into the village and it will be bad for the community. There are a lot of Community houses for sale, being built and for rent in the area and we really need to make sure that there are services in the village to attract younger families. I am also worried that if the school closes it will cause other businesses in the village to suffer such as the shop and the cafes. 103 We, three tenants of Clapham village, want to try to support the community we live in, in any way we can, we shop locally and thereby support the village store and it has come to our attention that the local village school is under threat of being closed. This would be a tragedy, Community please for the demographics and the wellbeing of the community. Please do not close the village school, it is one of the few opportunities of bringing younger families to the area and is well supported locally. 104 1. Rated outstanding school which is the centre of a rural community that extends beyond the village and with links to other groups in the village 2. Financial situation better than that of many schools 3. Important for the viability of the community - new housing in the process of construction, the majority of which are family homes - and new families moving to Clapham (3 last year) 4. Issues of local capacity and importance of maintaining local options 5. An experienced and supportive community (Friends of Clapham School and Action Group) Community are prepared to commit to developing the options available to children and families - the community owns and runs an award winning community shop which indicates the vibrancy and energy of the people of Clapham and the area impacted by this proposed closure 6. An educational fund currently has sufficient pledges to support the school in the short term which indicates the strength of feeling and willingness to seek solutions. 7. Many rural communities are losing facilities and are becoming unattractive for families and young people 105 I have lived in Clapham for 25 years. I feel the local authority should support small schools in rural areas where there is a farming community. It is short sighted to talk about closing the school now when Community there is so much housing being built in the area. I am concerned that we won't be able to attract younger families into the village if the school closes and this will be bad for the community as a whole. 106 Our Dales villages are not just about Tourism!!!! We need to keep our village school because it adds to our character and obviously our need Community to keep our local children in touch with their community. Parents collecting their children do shop in the village shop thus helping to keep that facility going. I know a couple of parents whose children do actually thrive in such a small environment and I know of a family who actually moved here because of the school. We have had new houses built so what happens if families start to occupy them? We need a village of mixed ages otherwise we become a village of old folk. Once the school is closed it will go on the market and become a fancy new home of holiday let apartments. The village comes alive when the children are playing out and the school bell rings, parents collecting and picking up all part of the daily clockwork of our pretty village. Let's try and keep it that way. 107 As a local resident and member of Clapham community I am very concerned and entirely opposed to the closure of Clapham Primary School. As well as the education it provides, it is also a pivotal part of the community, attracting younger families to the village to create a more diverse age mix, the school provides many vibrant community events and people dropping off their children visit and spend money Community supporting the community run village shop. The proposal to close it is short term and looking ahead numbers are set to increase. A steering group of local people has been set up to find alternatives to the closure but needs more time because the closure proposals have only come to light in the past few months. 108 I have lived in Clapham for 30 years and I am concerned that closing the school would be taking away the service from the children of the village and the surrounding areas such as Keasden. People will have to travel further to go to school. I also attend community events in the school and it would be taking away the opportunity for other residents of the village Community to join in and support the school at such events. Closing the school would not encourage people to move into the village. I know they are building several houses in the area and we want to get younger families moving into the area for the benefit of all of us. 109 If our school closes it will take the heart out of our village. There are a number of older residents living here and when they leave our village for one reason or another the estate has always given priority to renting to Community young families. Without the school Clapham will no longer attract these families. Without young children in the village Clapham will die! Please think again. 110 I'm very disappointed and feel it is short sighted at the suggested closure of the school taking into account the number of children who are attending the school. One must also not forget the increasing number of new houses being built, which will ring in additional children. I've lived in the area all my life (70 years +), attended a small church school in Community Low Bentham and my grandchildren attended the school. I realise the value of attending a small rural school. Where are the children expected to go, with the nearest school, Austwick, nearly full. Travelling further would be a problem for parents with young children. 111 Vital service for attracting young couples and their children to village community instead of the village consisting of older retired wealthy Community people. Will help to maintain a healthy balance of people of different ages. 112 Firstly, I would like to start by saying that I have 3 children. Two are currently attending the school and one left to go to secondary in September 18. My daughter was the only girl in her year of 3 children, Parent and at one point was the only child in her year. This however did not in any way shape of form affect her confidence or ability to interact with other children in the school, and she instead felt like she was in a large family environment, whilst still learning. She is now thriving at Queen Elizabeth school, which goes to show that attending Clapham C of E school from the age of 3, has in no way had an impact on her performance on her education. Meanwhile We still we still have two boys in years 2, and 5 attending, who are both confident, friendly, outgoing and studios! So what we are trying to get across is that, saying their education is suffering as individuals due to a small school environment is total nonsense. My husband who is now 37, also attended Clapham, as did his 3 siblings and also his Farther, all of which have excellent professions. It would be a massive disadvantage if this wonderful school was to close, the teaching is outstanding, and we think that moving schools would be detrimental to our boys learning, especially as our eldest is approaching his last year, and to settle into another school in his SATS year would be difficult to say the least. My husband and I also refuse to send our children, from an outstanding school to a good school, and even worse an oversubscribed one. Please take into account the consequences this will have on our children, and the local community children. 113 My Village is special because we have our community shop, our pub, our couple of shops and tea rooms, B+B and our lovely little school. We are having new houses built to house new people and some say encourage families. What is the point of giving planning permission for new housing to include small families and we are thinking of closing the school. In this day and age we should be encouraging parents to walk their children to school and not to have to use cars. Once the school is gone it will no doubt be sold and a holiday company will buy it to rent as Resident small holiday lets. We see it happening all over the Dales. It is not rocket science running a business and that is what running a school should be seen as. We need to keep Clapham with our mixture of ages ...that is what keeps a village "normal" and not a ghost village with all the older people getting older and older. I am an older person and love to hear the children playing out. The school adds to the charm of this lovely village. Don't be too hasty to close this chapter in the history of our village. 114 The Governing Board of Austwick School was saddened and somewhat alarmed to learn of the consultation on closure of yet another small, rural, Church school within our vicinity. We recognise that this is a difficult situation, with specific problems and that all parties involved have worked tirelessly to try to prevent the current situation. Indeed, Austwick School was also eager to help to find a solution but, like many other schools, we were unable to find a way forward that would both ensure the future of Clapham School whilst not being to the detriment of Austwick School. We recognise that the severity of the issues facing Clapham School may mean that it is not possible to find a viable way Governing forward, though as a neighbouring school, we still hope that this might Board be the case. However, whatever the outcome for Clapham, we believe that it is important, at this time, to highlight the need for Government, the LA and the Diocese to devote time to careful strategic planning to ensure the future of small, rural schools going forward as we strongly believe that they offer a unique and valuable educational opportunity for young people in our rural communities. As a Governing Board trying to think strategically and plan for the future long term sustainability of our own school, we are extremely grateful to have been named as a catchment school, if the closure of Clapham were to go ahead. Primarily, we believe that this would be in the best interests of the families at Clapham who would have the option to choose a school similar to the one which their children currently attend; many parents actively choose a small, Church School due to the distinctive qualities that it offers. To this end, Austwick Board of Governors would hope to offer a place to any from Clapham who would like to continue this specific educational experience for their children. Additionally, the idea of extending the catchment area of Austwick would make sense from a Church School perspective as both Clapham and Austwick schools fall within the same ecclesiastical parish. This would only strengthen the relationship between the churches and the school – an important aspect for a Church school – especially with regards to SIAMS. Finally, the proposal to extend the catchment area of Austwick would demonstrate support for the future sustainability of another local, rural, church school. This is not simply the view of our Governing Board; at the public consultation meeting reference was made to the fact that, if Clapham could not be saved, then the focus should be on ensuring that this does not happen to other schools. We would hope that we would have the support of the LA and Diocese in this and in ensuring a smooth transition for any pupils wishing to transfer to Clapham if the decision is made to close the school. 115 My little boy goes to this school, and it’s a lovely village school, safe environment, and nice helpful staff. It’s a shame if it closes. We need Parent more children to choose this school. xxx has problems with sight & hearing and the school has been wonderful with him. 116 There has recently been built a large number of family homes. One of the reasons people move to rural areas is to let their children benefit from a village school education So please don’t close ours as they will Community lose the opportunity for a great start to their educational life which is so very important. People of Clapham are very proud or their school. 117 Firstly, I am saddened by the proposal to close Clapham School and I sincerely hope this decision will be reversed after consultation with the community. At some stage the funding of small rural schools needs to be addressed by government. Secondly, if the decision is to close then I would request the allocation of the affected catchment area be reviewed to include Ingleton Primary School, along with the other two schools (Austwick and Bentham) named in the consultation documents. As stated Austwick is the nearest school but does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate all the pupils and Ingleton is the second nearest school with some spare capacity. The local community is aware Governor of the spare capacity at Bentham Primary School, however to expect primary school pupils to travel further to address this issue is not reasonable. I am reminded by some of my fellow governors that when Burton in Lonsdale primary school closed - which included pupils from Westhouse and Thornton - Bentham was the designated school even though Ingleton was much nearer. I understand the reasoning behind this was the district ward was Bentham and Burton. If the same criteria were applied here the local ward affected with closure is Ingleton and Clapham and therefore Ingleton should be included in the shared catchment area. 118 Please note the following: The numbers of projected pupils on the Local Authority Consultation document are misleadingly low. True figures provided from housing developers and the Ingleborough Estate indicate Community numbers of incoming families over the next few years to be significantly higher. Higher numbers mean better financial projections and positive knock-on effects in terms of staffing and educational opportunities for the children. The community has overseen two major projects to ensure Clapham is a sustainable going forward. It has built a1 Gbps FTTP network which encourages businesses and young families into the area. It is in the process of writing a Neighbourhood development plan which will work closely with the YDNPA initiative to encourage families to the Dales. The local community has established a Clapham Educational Trust - a fund which will underwrite the school finances going forward and has enabled the Governing body to put forward a realistic, achievable recovery plan. Clapham has an enviable record of fund raising. To bring B4RN to the area the community raised £300k plus. There is every reason to believe people will be just as generous to maintain the school. The Governors have worked closely with local parents and the local community in developing plans for a ‘stay and play’ group, nursery provision and wrap-around care. The Governing body affirm the viability of these proposals and see them as an important element in the plans for the school going forward. Once again the community has an enviable record of active volunteering with B4RN and the Community shop. There is every reason to believe volunteers will be found who will be able to ensure affordable and comprehensive wrap around care. If the school closes it will undermine the community’s efforts to maintain the village as a sustainable community. It would also hinder YDNPA efforts to keep a balanced population in the Dales by making the village less attractive to families. Such a closure would accelerate the process by which rural areas in general and the Dales in particular become “God’s waiting rooms.” 119 A school is an integral part of village life, and without it there is a great danger that Clapham would become a ' retirement ' village. There are, in the village, several ongoing as well as some potential housing developments which are likely to house some children eligible to attend Community the local primary schooling the near future. Although I am retired and do not now have any young children, I would be very disappointed if the school is closed. 120 I have worked in Clapham village, xx xx xxxxxxxx xx xxxx xxxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx for over ten years. The Estate has always been a strong supporter of the School - the late Dr John Farrer's (owner of the Estate) policy with regard to letting houses in the village was to favour families with young children who would attend the school and the rents payable were set at an "affordable" level, so as to reach out to as many families as possible. Since Dr Farrer's death in January 2014 that policy has continued, as evidenced by three families (with children xxxx xxxxx – attending the school) renting homes in the village in the last twelve xxxxxxx xxx months or so. The Estate has over 40 dwellings let on a private rental xxxxxxxxxx basis and there is a lot new build and barn conversion work ongoing xxxxxxx (circa. 30 new homes) or in the pipeline and therefore the opportunity for the school to bounce back from a troubled three year period must be Local Worker extremely high. It would be rough justice and short sighted by NYCC if the school is to close when the building blocks are in place to address recent problems. As with many rural villages the school plays a vital role in maintaining the social fabric of the local community and helps maintain what is a village with a real living and working community - many villages have no sole/community purpose, so please do not take action (by closing the School) which will result in another such village. 121 I am appalled to learn of the intended closure of Clapham School, this village needs the school. There are several new large houses being built here in Clapham to accommodate families. Parents need to know that Resident there is a school where that their children can reach safely & easily & without needing transport & they will have the friendship of other children living in their vicinity. 122 Very sad that a village school considered Outstanding cannot be kept open. A village school is vital in order for the village to thrive and attract families. It is a school and facility the village and surrounding areas can Former Pupil be proud of. I was a pupil here 1978-1983, and the community feel of Clapham School has remained with me; encouraging me to send my own children to a similar sized school in my own local area. 123 There is a large new housing development in the village still under construction comprising 2, 3, and 4 bedroom houses. Most of these properties can accommodate families with children and are situated next Resident to the Primary School. It is vital that the school stays open so the numbers attending can increase. 124 Why have you authorised the building of new houses near the local school. Surely this is a good selling point for them. You will ruin Community Clapham if there is no school. 125 Dear Sir/Madam, I write regarding the proposed closure of the Clapham Church of England Primary School in Clapham, North Yorkshire. My daughter currently attends the school and is in Year 6 and, although she leaves at the end of this school year and isn’t directly affected by the closure, it fills me with great sadness and some anger to think of the school’s closure, therefore I would like to express my opinion that the school should remain open. Firstly, let me point out that I have attended parent and community consultation evenings so I understand that the need to close the school is based primarily on the financial position that the school finds itself in, low pupil numbers and the inability, at the moment to find another head teacher to work on a part-time basis (i.e. shared with another school). All of which are temporary situations, meaning the decision to close the close would be a drastic measure with permanent consequences to overcome a very short-term problem. Each of these problems can be overcome. Let me address them: 1) Long- term financing of the school will obviously be determined by pupil numbers. We moved into the village 4 years ago and we sent 2 of our Parent children to the school, at which time there were around 40 pupils. There are various factors that have resulted in numbers falling since then. Firstly, the appointment of the previous headteacher didn’t sit well with some of the parents, i.e. some parents moved their children out of school because they didn’t like or approve of some of his decisions. Secondly, this has been compounded in the last 2 years by removal of both the breakfast and after school clubs. My opinion is that this has detrimentally affected the school’s ability to attract new intake to the school because most families these days have both parents working and need the breakfast/after school clubs to be able to operate their daily lives effectively. I know from personal experience that had the school not had breakfast and after school clubs 4 years ago then my children would NOT have gone to Clapham school. I respect the decision to close these clubs was based on the lack of funding at the time, but again, this was a short-term measure with lasting consequences. I am aware that the ability of the school to retain existing pupil numbers and attract new ones was NOT considered when this decision was made. So, the measure taken to save a few pounds by closing the clubs has resulting in losing a lot more direct government funding based on pupil numbers. This was a very poor decision from an accounting perspective. In the short term, I believe there are plans in place, by the local community action group to ensure that breakfast and after school clubs are run on a voluntary basis, run by fully CRB checked members of the community. This will aid the rebuilding of pupil numbers. Also, there is a development of new housing immediately next to the school which are yet to be sold. I feel sure that there will be a number of new families with primary school age children moving into these houses in the very near future. I am sure there will be a number of other measures available to boost pupil numbers in the short/medium and long term. 2) Regarding short-term financing. Again the community action group has initiated fund raising to ensure financing of the school for the next year and are very confident this will be achieved if it hasn’t already (apologies, I’m not directly connected to this and don’t know the current position). 3) Regarding the headteacher position, I am sure that a suitable solution to this can be found in the long-term, i.e. once the school’s ‘open’ status is secured. It is a pity that due to department of education rules it is not possible to appoint a headteacher on a purely part-time basis unless shared with another school. My understanding being that the school must have a headteacher available at all times (even if at another school) to be responsible for the school. It is a pity the rules wouldn’t accommodate a part-time headteacher with sole responsibility for just the one school, who could work on an ‘on-call’ basis (similar to how doctor’s work in hospitals) during the remaining school hours. This would reduce costs and mean a head is ‘responsible’ during all school operating hours. The school has been open for over 100 years, and I’m sure during that time the pupil numbers have been lower than the current level, but the school has remained open for the benefit of future generations. I am aware that there are many schools around the country with far fewer pupil numbers than ours but manage to remain open. It is a pity our school can’t stay open, even if it had to reduce to one class-room instead of two to further costs. The school is of tremendous importance to the community as a whole, not just for the school children and their parents. The school is the hub of the community. It helps attract new families into the area and allows parents to meet and socialise with each other, thus enhancing the community spirit amongst the villagers. We have met many people, through school, since we moved into the area 4 years ago. Over time, without a school, younger families will no longer exist, the village will most likely turn into a village full of retired people and many ‘homes’ replaced by holiday lets. I feel very strongly that the school should stay open because the short-term issues can almost certainly be overcome and the school can become once again a financially viable going concern in the long term, for the benefit of future generations of children and the benefit of the village and surrounding area as a whole. 126 It would be a loss to the community both to the young and old as an elderly person we missed the children coming to the Christmas Dinner, it Community was a nice addition to a nice lunch and a gathering of the villagers, not to mention the children's education. 127 We are writing to express our concerns about the closure of Clapham Primary School in North Yorkshire. Historically the school has served Community the village and surrounding areas well over the years. It has given many children a feeling of belonging to a community that cares about them. That feeling of being part of a supportive community has been beneficial to them in their future lives. It would be a real shame if the children had to be taken out of the village to attend a school elsewhere. As well as the academic achievements of many of the children who have benefitted from a good start in their lives at Clapham there have been many occasions when the children have taken part In projects with elderly residents in the local community such as luncheon clubs, school coffee mornings, concerts, school quiz nights and events at Christmas, thus learning the importance of respect and understanding of other peoples’ needs. Having that direct connection has been so beneficial to them all and the rest of the village. Enabling children to attend the local village school also means that their parents will become involved in village projects. If the children had to attend a school away from the village it would mean that both they and their parents would have to travel out of the village. This would mean that they would become detached from their local community and would lead to the breakdown of the social structure of the village community. Children’s memories of their first school is so very important to them in their future development into adult life and the children of Clapham deserve the opportunity to attend school in their own locality. We urge that the North Yorkshire County Council consider the wider importance of maintaining a local village school such as Clapham Primary School. 128 It would be a great loss to the community and the children, we looked forward to seeing all of them on the visits to our Christmas lunch and Community singing for us. 129 My family and x xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxx to Clapham School, so we feel a close alliance with the school. Our son attended the school in the late 80's and early 90's and was very happy there. I got involved for a while with supervising very basic computer skills and helping with trips to Settle swimming pool. We felt that it was extra special for us as we were new to the area and our son got to know and make friends with children who were living in the same village and to meet them after school, which was an extra bonus. I felt it was a very well-run all-encompassing place which answered to the needs of all kinds of children, whatever their background. Most of the children came from Clapham and surrounding villages so the cost of transport was low and the environmental footfall was minimal. We raised money to finance the school trips and summer camps. There was free football coaching from one of the parents followed by competitions with other schools, with Clapham mostly being the winner! All the parents organised their Community own transport to these events cutting down transport costs again. I am frequently drawn to look over our wall to a bunch of happy children chasing each other around the school yard and playing games etc. I hear beautiful music being played and children singing their hearts out frequently. Last year I went to see the musical "Joseph" performed by these children and it was an amazing wonderful experience. Surely if we could investigate all the reasons for the decline in numbers of children and deal with the causes, maybe we could find an answer to some of the problems. This is a very community minded village. We have been here for 36 years and have always tried to support the school as best as we can particularly with fundraising and will continue to do so as long as it is necessary. I know that the costs of running a small school are higher per capita but I feel the enthusiasm and support of these parents with children who are progressing steadily their education makes up for so much. If the school was given a chance to continue there would surely be an increased surge of support from parents and the community alike to enable the school to survive. 130 I would urge you to reconsider this, the school is well regarded in the village and with the continued building of new of new homes is likely to have more and more pupils in the not too distant future. Closure would also be detrimental to the village community and disadvantage parents Community who would need to make unnecessary journeys to and from the alternative school with impact on their time, personal cost and cost to the environment with extra use of vehicles to facilitate the transport. 131 It seems to me to be utter folly to close the school when (1) 22 new houses are nearing completion, 8 more have planning permission, and we know of more proposed. (2) Local & national government policy, the National Park, & other organisations are encouraging the support of Community rural communities. (3) Closure of the school will put off people moving to the village. Clapham historically has been a community encouraging young families to move to the area. (4) It was classed "Outstanding" at its last inspection. 132 The Governors have worked closely with local parents and the local community in developing plans for a ‘stay and play’ group, nursery provision and wrap-around care. The Governing body affirm the viability of these proposals and see them as an important element in the plans for the school going forward. There would be a negative impact on the local area if the school closes (making it less attractive to people considering moving here) and possibly on the resources of other local Community schools being squeezed to capacity by ex-Clapham pupils. The community have worked tirelessly to make a great success of the voluntarily staffed village shop, similar energy could be expected to preserve the village school. New builds are growing all around us and more new homes will increase in the future. It seems short sighted to close the facility that we have. The village would lose its heart and become just a holiday destination. 133 My grandchildren have been attending Clapham Primary School for over 2 years now and I have observed a huge difference in my granddaughter, she suffered debilitating anxiety when attending a much Grandparent larger school here in Worcestershire. I strongly support all the parents and villagers in Clapham and surrounding areas as they fight to keep this very valuable asset to the community. 134 If you close this School down it will be the end of the village and community. My 3 children went over 20 years ago and are still in contact Community with friends they met there. 135 Close the school and any money you save will then have to be spent on Community the side effects. It is false economy to close small village schools. 136 I don't have children myself, but I feel strongly that Clapham school is vital in terms attracting and retaining young families to the area. For many local people it has been a reason for moving here. If the school closes we will not have children and young families choosing to make Clapham their home and, as a result, we are going to have a smaller, Community more impoverished rural community as a result. This is a much a matter of safeguarding a sustainable, diverse and attractive long term future for Clapham as a community as it is the school closure. The school is the heart of this community and has been so for many generations. 137 I was brought up close to Clapham as part of a family that had inhabited the area for many generations and continue to live locally. My two Community brothers and I were all educated in Clapham and took part in various local community events during our time there. A tradition that has continued and forms an important part of the local community. The closure of the school would have a significant negative impact on the local area and its people. Clapham like many rural communities has an aging population where there is a need to keep and attract young families to sustain it for the future. The closure of a primary school, particularly one as connected to the community as Clapham's, will discourage young people from staying and moving to the village to the disadvantage of everyone. Rural schools for local children are an important part of any community and help build the communal spirit and attachment to a locality that are vital for the long term future of any village. Clapham Primary has long formed part of the village's community and no benefit to the people of Clapham can be achieved through its closure. While I recognise that the school has a relatively small number of pupils this should not be used as an excuse for its closure as forcing young people to travel away from their local community can only isolate them from it. Loss of community, social isolation and an aging population are just some of the problems that the communities and people of North Yorkshire face. The role of the County Council is to protect its residents against these challenges and help build resilient communities for the future. Through working at a local swimming pool where the children of Clapham School regularly swim I see how well behaved, motivated and happy they all are. 138 It is short sighted to consider closure when the houses currently being built in Clapham, with more in the pipeline, point to increasing numbers in the near future. The school is extremely important as an integral part of this community. I also believe that it benefits the school children being educated within the community...not scattered around the nearest available schools. In this way they develop with a sense of belonging and being a part of village Iife. The opposite is also true in that the village undoubtedly benefits from the presence of the school. This is true in the sense that it helps to sustain the life of a village and is a point for inter-generational contacts. It was said at the meeting in the village hall Community recently that in a small school the children do not have the breadth of education that might be available in a larger establishment. Any advantages that might come with a larger teaching staff and more disposable income need to be viewed alongside the advantages of a small school. The children can prosper in this environment, they grow in confidence and are happy here. A child who is happy and confident has the best of starts in life and is well prepared for learning. Finally, in this time of growing awareness of climate change we should be aware of the increased traffic in ferrying these children to different areas at a time when we should all be trying to decrease our use of fossil fuels. 139 Sorry to hear school is due to close, I think local schools serve a very Community important place in local life 140 I have posted my form back, but just in case it doesn't arrive in time, I wish to make sure you receive my objections to closing the school (we only received the form on Monday). I feel very strongly that to lose the school in Clapham would be a travesty. Primary School education in small villages is vital for the community of the village. Lifelong Community friendships are made between pupils and parents. The school helps bringing in new people to the village, which is essential for the vitality and vibrancy of a village. It helps bring in much needed custom to the village shop and the life to the church. There is absolutely no point in building new houses which blight the beautiful village of Clapham if there is no school for incoming children to attend. If parents have to drive their children to schools further afield, this has an environmental impact, it will take money for the shops and cafes out of the village and the village will die a death. Clapham cannot rely on tourists alone, especially in the long winter months. Despite never having children myself, but having attended a small rural primary school I know how vital they are for the community. 141 A good local school which deserves to stay open to serve local needs in a village with new houses - new families- additional children to boost Community school roll. A village which needs its school to remain vibrant as a community. 142 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an Teacher experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 143 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Staff Member Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 144 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group Teacher allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 145 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support Teacher to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 146 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our Teacher school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, ie adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 147 With all the new houses in Clapham I’d anticipate a rise in demand in a few years’ time, which makes this a very short-sighted proposal. To Community close the school would be an erosion of village life & community. 148 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially Teacher engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 149 It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the proposed closure of our school and the potential redundancies of our varying posts. We understand the reasons and wish to offer our support to the Governors of the school, to the school and to the wider community. Here are some of the reasons we believe our school should be kept open: 1. SEN provision – This has always been a strength of our school. It has been a huge benefit to our school and to the wider community for our children to have opportunities to mix and socially engage with children who might have medical, social and/or emotional needs. Despite the financial cost to the school, we have never prevented a child from attending our setting, always ensuring they Teacher receive the educational provision that they deserve. These children have also benefitted from smaller, less crowded and quieter classrooms with targeted support from staff. 2. Social skills – Small schools benefit from children being able to make long term friendships and relationships with staff. We are a family school. The children are able to mix with children from other year groups and learn to move between different social groups. This is more representative of real life and gives them skills for life. The children are all able to mix at playtimes and socialise with older/younger children outside of their year group. They can all sit together at lunchtimes because we only need one sitting. 3. EYFS – Our school has a fantastic Early Years Unit with the expertise of an experienced early year’s practitioner, giving our young people a fantastic beginning to their academic journey. Since this unit has been run by school, there has been greater access to free flow provision for our Reception children, greater communication between staff working with the Foundation Stage children. Having the flexibility to combine Nursery and Reception each morning means that we can educate a larger group allowing us to meet the social aspects of the curriculum. 4. Past Pupils – A significant number of past pupils stay in the local area and run their own businesses: farmers, teachers, actors, authors, musicians, athletes, or have an influence on the community, e.g. being Governors, Parish Counsellors. At least one former pupil has represented Great Britain in their chosen sport. 5. Knowledge of children – As a small school, we know each of our children inside out; their strengths, their next steps, their trigger points, their friendship groups, their social issues, their personal issues. As they move fewer times between classroom, there is very little lost curriculum time at the start of each academic year. 6. Church of England – The number of Church schools in the area are getting less. We have seen many closures of local village church schools and parental choice for this type of education is becoming limited. We have a significant number of children who attend our school specifically because we are a Church of England school. There would be a detrimental impact on the local church should our school be closed, and the Church could also be at risk in the very near future. Churches are also being closed with familiar regularity as congregations decline, again, particularly in rural parishes. 7. Food for Life/Forest School – Being a Food for Life flagship school over the years, with a unique curriculum and Clapham’s quirky nature, i.e. adopting Hilda the Hen, has drawn interest and pupils to our school. This education is not only important to parents, but to the children as well. We are able to offer cooking and gardening skills more frequency than in larger schools. Food for Life meets many criteria for developing the whole child and promoting healthy lifestyles, a key OFSTED and Government policy. 8. Numbers – We have seen numbers of pupils rise this year as new families have moved into the village and chosen our school as their preferred place for the education of children. We have all seen the impact of school closures on other local villages. 9. Dedicated staff – All the staff at Clapham School are dedicated to the education and welfare of the children in our care. We are a family school and every member of staff gives a significant amount of voluntary time to ensure that the children in our care are safe and well looked after, such as offering after school clubs/Breakfast Club in our own time, even though as a small staff we have many roles and responsibilities that we wouldn’t have if we worked in a larger school. Working in a small school is a demanding and exhausting job, yet we do this because we believe in the importance of small schools that sit in the heart of their community. 10. Music – Our children are very lucky to be offered individual music lessons, using the unique talents of local music teachers. We take pride in giving our musical children chances to showcase their skills and talents regardless of where they are in their musical journey. Likewise, as a small school all our children perform in whole school plays and nativities, being given the opportunity to have a speaking role from Reception through to Year 6. 11. Heart of our community – Our school is once again becoming the heart of our community with strong links within the local community. Our annual school Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Church have been opened up to the local community. Last summer we negotiated a business opportunity with the village shop to grow and sell our vegetables through them. Over the years, we have performed songs at Ingleborough Hall for local people during their annual Christmas dinner. Our school productions take place in the Village Hall so that members of the community can come and watch. Our ICT suite and photocopying facilities are available for the community to use. Settle Operatic Society hire our staging for performances. Once a month our school cook invites Age UK to have a home-cooked dinner. The local history group make use of our IT facilities to deliver historical lectures on a regular basis. We participate in local events with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Natural England, such as planting the wildflower meadow at the back of the car park. Historically, we have had strong links with Growing with Grace and have recently been putting steps in place to restore these links for the benefit of our pupils. 12. Village shop – The loss of trade from parents, staff and school will impact the shop. We have a termly contract with the shop to supply our milk to school each week. Staff will often pop in to collect some shopping or buy lunch. Consequently, this could lead to the eventual closure of the village shop too. 13. Alternative schools – It is very clear from parents that they do not want their children to be educated elsewhere. They wish to keep their children here at Clapham to continue receiving the care and education from a small, rural, community orientated, Church of England school. And that they do not feel that the closure of the school is in the best interests of their children, and that given a choice, their parental preference for the education of their children should be here at Clapham, because again, as a small school the relationship between the school and the parents is a closely forged one. 150 As a young couple who are moving back to the village with hopes of starting a family soon it would be a shame for the school to close. My younger sister attended Clapham school at it was the best school she’s attended out of three primary schools. The school has more time to Community have one-to-one time with the children therefore having more time to explain school subjects. The school is the heart of the community and with many young children in the school it would be a shame to see this school close. 151 I wish to register my objection to the closure of Clapham School. The consultation document understates the future demand for places at the school having omitted some new housing and having not been aware of the changes at the Ingleborough Estate that are bring families back into the village again. Also, the consultation doesn’t acknowledge the turnaround in teaching and learning and confidence in the school during the current year. Time should be given for these improvements to continue under a Headteacher, the rejuvenated Governing Body and the tremendous support offered through the Clapham Educational Fund. Community There is a presumption against closure for protected rural schools yet the consultation document consistently takes ‘worst case’ positions on the key factors. It also fails to consider entirely the impact on the community. The Educational Fund will provide additional income to school until a recovery is secured and so I ask the Executive to get behind this community commitment, accept the findings of the Community Action Group, endorse the Governing Body’s latest recovery plan and bring to an end the destabilising and unnecessary threat of closure. 152 The impact of closing a village primary school spreads far beyond the consideration of present-time finances. As seen in other localities close- by, the school closure removes a spark of light and energy from a rural location. The school age population has been on a downward trend, but there can be no certainty that this will continue. Our urban areas are becoming increasingly hostile in terms of architecture, building use, corporate domination, drug problems and social difficulties. In response to which, young urban families are attracted to take the risk of moving to rural areas. Lack of a school is a weight against this movement. Clearly, with the recent interest in creating rural affordable-housing, there is an over-arching view that villages need younger people ...and yet the closure of schools runs counter to this objective. With regard to social issues, we are a decreasingly diverse population resulting from the 'farming effect' of the prevailing education system and amongst other things, the ubiquitous presence of the worldwide web. Our human survival depends on diversity and we can't afford to dismiss pockets of Resident less-mainstream education. This consultation document does not offer any real evidence that schooling in Clapham is in anyway inferior to elsewhere. The larger the system (larger school), the greater amount of time and money is devoted to maintaining the system - and in dealing with behaviours of children instead of educating. Despite financial imperatives, the closure of Clapham School feels at a material, existential and intuitive level to be a retrograde step which will be regretted in time - as per Baron Beeching's Railway closures. If this closure goes ahead, I would like to request that the contents of the school are not squandered. This was the case at Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Rathmell schools and was viewed by many as an obscene act of council indifference. Many items were photographed in the waste- removal skips, some brand new in their wrappers. This represented a significant amount of revenue and flies in the face of NYCC statements of policy regarding environmental concerns. 153 I strongly support all the representations made by the governing body of the school and the Clapham School Community Action Group and would like to reinforce the grave and far-reaching effects on the local community of closing the school: * Local authorities in North Yorkshire, together with the Yorkshire Dales National Park authority are currently uniting in a collective campaign to combat the many interrelated causes of the alarming exodus of young people from the Dales which threatens the future sustainability of our communities. The timing of the proposed closure of Clapham School therefore seems completely counter-intuitive and contradictory to this policy * The key factor here is to recognise the inter-dependence of local facilities and services in providing a viable way of life for the whole community across all age groups. The school, Community the shop, the church and other important services around health and well-being depend on the survival of every one of these. The closure of any one can sever a vital lifeline *In rural areas, including our market towns, the whole fabric of society depends on volunteers. For many years now, important core services, e.g. libraries, transport to medical appointments, cultural and sporting activities for all ages have been run solely by volunteers, but now with an ageing population the supply of volunteers is rapidly drying up and is not being replenished. This situation is recognised across the county and is another urgent reason for attracting and keeping younger people in our communities. Without them the sustainability of our way of life will soon reach crisis point and people may be forced to make moves that are not of their choosing. It is a recognised fact that the healthiest communities are those in which the generations can freely mix and interact. 154 The north craven area has already lost too many primary schools. Please don’t let this one follow suit. As villages lose services (of which the school is one) they become less attractive to those seeking a home Community in the area, so short term savings on the school running costs could equal long term loss of revenue for the council and local businesses. 155 Clapham Primary School, along with the community-managed shop, village hall and local businesses, is an important part of the village's fabric. Clapham has a vibrant and resilient community and we strongly oppose the closure of the school. The Dales and other rural areas are becoming retirement homes, losing the ability to retain and attract Resident families, and the school closure would be a significant blow to the village. Other local primary schools are at capacity, so where would Clapham's children go? The social and economic impact of the school closure on the village should be taken into account, not just the financial 'benefit' to NYCC of closing the school. 156 We are a small family firm currently building 22 houses in Clapham, with planning for 3 further houses in place making a total of 25 new family homes for Clapham. We are marketing these homes as suitable for families and as such we are extremely disappointed to hear of the possible closure of the school as this may impact our business because it could deter families from purchasing a house. A village school is one Community of the main stays of a village, together with a shop, a church and a pub. Clapham fulfils all criteria at present and a school is so important to the future as the pupils are exactly that, our future. Please think again about closing this excellent learning facility. The happy sound of children playing lifts the heart. 157 This school is an important part of the character of the village. It adds to the feel of "community" that makes Clapham such a special place. If we lose the school from the village it will change the whole feel and fabric of the village for the worse. At a time when new houses are being built in the village, and further building planned, as well as a number of properties coming up for sale in the near future, having a school in the village is far more likely to attract young families with children in to the community and maintain the community for generations to come. Closure is more likely to lead to an influx of older, retired or second Resident home purchasers, which is not good for the future vitality of the community. Closure also means more travel, with the associated environmental consequences, for children to another school. There is a huge desire amongst the community to keep the school open, and I’m sure, going forward, funding could be raised from the community and local businesses to support the retention of staff (and I speak as a local business owner) Surely a part time head could be found in the local area. Keep our school open, once it is gone, it has been lost forever. 158 I have lived in Clapham cum Newby locality for sixty years. I have been, and remain, actively involved in both the farming and Bethel Church communities. I have brought up two sons both of whom went to Clapham School, followed by my three grandchildren. My daughter in Community law worked until recently as a teaching assistant there and my son has been the Chairman on the board of Governors. Myself and my family believe in the strength of this community to work together and promote the schools ability to recover from its current situation. 159 Closing Clapham Primary School would be devastating. I am a resident of Newby, the neighbouring village, and have been for over 30 years. I was born in Manchester and attended a primary school in the north of the city until the age of 7. Luckily, due to my parents desperately wanting a change of pace in their lives, they chose to move to the Yorkshire Dales and I was placed at Clapham Primary School to finish my years at this level. It was so warm, comfortable and inviting. I was made to feel safe, welcome and felt like I’d always been there. The community welcomed us with open arms and we’ve made lifelong friends here, the home that was always meant for us. I still keep in touch and regularly see my friends that I made there all those years ago and we’ve all had extremely successful careers. 30 years later and now I’m a parent and my daughter, aged 10, attends Clapham Primary. There’s nowhere else I would’ve placed her. The school is on our doorstep and transport is provided. Transport that my family fought long and hard for so that myself and my siblings could use this service to and from the school. What more could you ask for? An amazing school in a gorgeous setting providing education of the utmost excellence. My daughter is thriving here and after a turbulent start to her life, she finds comfort in this school and has flourished no end. Her confidence has soared and her peers will be friends for life. I know personally that she would be fine no matter what the outcome should be but why should we have to suffer the potential upheaval of something that shouldn’t happen? Clapham School provides an outstanding delivery of education. One that should not be dismissed. I am so very grateful and will forever be in the debt of the educators that have provided such a wonderful start to my daughter’s educational life. We consider ourselves extremely lucky and I want, I hope, that future families will benefit from this just as we have. All Parent the staff at Clapham School have made my life as a parent, easy and carefree. My daughter comes home happy every day and has done since the age of 4. This school should not close. It will ruin the community spirit that reigns over this village and all in the vicinity. Invest money and invest time in this beautiful school rather than trying to get rid of it. I assure you it would be the worst mistake you could make. Clapham School produces wonderful and individual citizens as I have been part of and I’ve seen over the years here. You will quash the community for the sake of a little extra paperwork. It’s ludicrous. I work in education at the local secondary school and know just how very important it is to have these rural primary schools infiltrate us in order for ours to function. If you close this school, what’s next? Close all the local primary schools and the secondary schools will suffer. You have no idea of the knock-on effect. We’ll lose the diversity. The range of creative talents and academic prowess we at secondary level can nurture. Clapham Primary School stands out above all the other local primary schools. I will be saddened to see it go and would prefer my daughter to finish her education here before moving on to the next stage of her educational life. I was safe in the knowledge that my daughter would be provided the best resources and facilities for her upcoming SATs next academic year and now it’s in disarray. She has always exceeded above national average in everything she’s ever done. I do not want her to suffer before she reaches secondary level. She deserves the best, as do all children. Keeping our primary school open is not just important for our children and the children after them but for our community as a whole. Closing the school would have such a detrimental effect on everyone. I do hope that you make the right decision. 160 New homes in Clapham will need the school which should not be closed Community 161 Local Primary Schools are so important to the vitality of rural communities. With new builds in the village and a more diverse demographic than many local villages Clapham Primary plays in key Community role in nurturing children in their local community. I urge you to keep this community resource open. 162 As a relative of a pupil of the school I can see how well this individual has developed whilst at this school. It is a short-sighted solution to a problem that does not need to be solved. There are a number of new housing developments that are being built in the area. What impact will Relative the nearest school being up to 5 or 6 miles away have on the sale of these houses? Surely NYCC do not want 20 or 30 empty homes in Clapham? If the school is left open the desirability of the village of Clapham is increased further. 163 I have lived in Clapham village for over 20 years. Clapham is a broad, varied and supportive community of which the School is an integral part. I am therefore strongly opposed to the proposed closure of Clapham Primary School. The community has always been supportive of the school and regular fund raising events are always very well attended. As has already been highlighted by the packed consultation meeting and setting up of a Community Educational Fund, our community is already standing by the school and will continue to donate time and money whilst the School gets through the recent dip in pupil numbers. Crucially this is based on a realistic and achievable recovery plan put forward by the Governing body. Added to this the Governors are working closely with local parents and the community to develop plans for a stay and play group and nursery provision to provide more integrated and appealing wrap-around care. The effectiveness of community support within the Parish has already been demonstrated by the community taking on the village shop, which has now become an award winning village store, which is now well used by the community and parents of pupils at the School when dropping off and picking up at the beginning and end of the day. I am also a member of the steering who is currently developing a 'Neighbourhood Plan' for the civil Parish. The recent Community consultation events and resident wide questionnaire have highlighted the importance of a diverse age mix to create a healthy and balanced community to attract young families to the area as well as businesses and local employment. To this end the Plan will looks to promote development that will achieve this. New housing is already under construction on the east side of the Clapham village and there are also a number of further planning applications granted for new housing suitable for families, in addition to the rented homes already offered by the Ingleborough Estate. This increase in housing and new families coming to the Parish is not reflected in the LA Consultation document with the result that the projected pupil numbers are misleadingly low. Following discussions with housing developers and the Ingleborough Estate the suggested number of incoming families and pupil numbers over the next few years to be significantly higher than the LA estimate. Higher numbers mean better financial projections and improved educational opportunities for the children at the School. I believe that the Clapham- cum-Newby Parish community are making significant efforts to achieve and maintain a sustainable community and the loss of the School would have a significant negative impact on this aim making the area less attractive to people and in particular families considering moving here. It would also impact on the wider area, as Clapham School would be the fourth Church School to close in recent years. The Community has already achieved a lot in a short period of time since the proposals came to light and I would urge the County Council to recognise the benefit of an active village School to a thriving rural community and give the School time to grow and to be able to balance its books. 164 A school is one of the cornerstones of a thriving community around which, apart from its primary purpose, a number of activities and events occur, and the daily to-ing and fro-ing of children and adults generates visible interactions in the village. Because Clapham is an estate village with a number of houses rented at more affordable rates in an otherwise property expensive area, it has a social mix perhaps similar Dales villages do not. In the past school age families were sometimes favoured for renting properties; now, I’m not sure but the newish management and guidance of the estate could do so. Also there are around 25 new houses built and in progress which could realise children needing a school. Closure could be premature. The bottom line, I know nothing, except, education for all, needs circumstances and context considered. 165 I feel that closure of Clapham School will have very detrimental effects on the local community. The school plays an important role in helping to Community maintain the social cohesion of the village and wider parish. I am strongly against closure of the school. 166 This is a beautiful little school right in the heart of our village. We need this school for the village children. My girls went to this school and have done amazing with one of them just finishing her nursing degree. It is very hard for the children in small villages to make friends. But the Ex Parent school has helped the children to become friends and make lifetime friendships. It’s not just a school where our children go to learn it is part of our community. 167 It would be an awful shame to close another village school which has a considerable amount of pupils. If this school closes where are those children going to go. It is going to put more pressure on the other small village schools that already have extra pressures from the recent closing of other schools in the area. They are lacking the staffing and the space Parent to deal with these extra numbers as well as the funding to buy the correct equipment and learning facilities. What made us fall in love with the small village schools was the intimacy between the children and their teachers. This will no longer be a factor. Such a shame. 168 It would be a huge, huge loss for the children, families, teachers and wider community. There must be a way to prevent this calamity from happening. It will cause so much damage and sadness. Schools like this Relative must be treasured and looked after. Not destroyed because of this brutal government cutting funds left right and centre no matter the destruction they leave behind. Utter madness. 169 I am a resident of Clapham, I attended Clapham Primary School and my three sons also attended Clapham School. I strongly object to the proposal to close Clapham Primary School. My three children were all educated in Clapham and took part in various local community events during their time there. A tradition that has continued and forms an Community important part of the local community. It is widely accepted that the closure of rural primary schools damages the community and this is enshrined in the presumption against closure in the statutory guidance on opening and closing maintained schools The closure of Clapham School would have a significant negative impact on the local area and its people. Clapham like many rural communities has an aging population where there is a need to keep and attract young families to sustain it for the future. The closure of a primary school, particularly one as connected to the community as Clapham's, will discourage young people from staying and moving to the village to the disadvantage of everyone. The closure will also impact on the resources of other local schools, with them being squeezed to capacity by ex-Clapham pupils. The community, churches and diocese will suffer the loss of another church school in our area. If it happens, Clapham will be the fourth church school to close in recent years. Rural schools for local children are an important part of any community and help build the communal spirit and attachment to a locality that are vital for the long term future of any village. Clapham Primary has long formed part of the village's community and no benefit to the people of Clapham can be achieved through its closure. While I recognise that the school has a relatively small number of pupils, this should not be used as an excuse for its closure as forcing young people to travel away from their local community can only isolate them from it. Loss of community, social isolation and an aging population are just some of the problems that the communities and people of North Yorkshire face. The role of the County Council is to protect its residents against these challenges and help build resilient communities for the future, the closure of Clapham Primary School will not contribute towards this. The quality of education provided by small rural schools has been well researched and it has been shown that these schools are able to provide an education of an equal and sometimes higher quality than larger schools in more urban areas. Following the public meeting chaired by Councillor Mulligan a community action group was established to work alongside the School Governors to support them in putting forward a viable financial, demographic, leadership and educational case for keeping the school open. The Clapham School Community Action Group are highlighting: The numbers of projected pupils on the Local Authority Consultation document are misleadingly low. True figures provided from housing developers and the Ingleborough Estate indicate numbers of incoming families over the next few years to be significantly higher. Higher numbers mean better financial projections and positive knock-on effects in terms of staffing and educational opportunities for the children. The local community has established a Clapham Educational Trust - a fund which will underwrite the school finances going forward and has enabled the Governing body to put forward a realistic, achievable recovery plan. The Governors have worked closely with local parents and the local community in developing plans for a ‘stay and play’ group, nursery provision and wrap-around care. The Governing body affirm the viability of these proposals and see them as an important element in the plans for the school going forward. I believe the work of the Community Action Group to support the Governors has demonstrated that there is a viable future for Clapham Primary School and that the school should not be closed. 170 False economy to close a village school. The village dies with it and they then have to spend more money to bring it back to life. We fought for Wray Endowed School and saved it and it is the heart of our community. Community It helps keep the shop and church going too, and makes the village a good place to live. Clapham cannot survive on tourists alone. 171 I am so sad to hear that the school in Clapham is possibly closing - I live in a small rural community and the schools that surround us are the lifeblood of the area. They mean young families move to the area which Friend brings money into the villages. Please do not tear the heart out of Clapham it is a wonderful village that needs a heart. 172 My granddaughter is receiving a first class education at Clapham School and I feel it would be very disruptive for her if she could not continue at this excellent small school. I understand the nearest alternative school is at Austwick. I have heard that this school has had to shorten the school day in order to ensure the children’s safety, due to traffic congestion Grandparent outside the school. If an additional 20+ children were to start attending here one can only suppose that this would be extremely difficult in terms of keeping the children safe let alone ensuring they receive an adequate education. 173 I think it would be a terrible blow to the community to lose the primary school. I have read that the figures of children are on the low side, so please look at this again. I understand there is funding to help keep it open. Having a school keeps a real sense of community in a small village and encourages families to live there. By providing wrap around Regular care and a building which can open to the community for other events Visitor as well, it serves many purposes. Keeping a school in a village keeps cars off the roads having to transport children elsewhere. I have worked as a teacher in a small village school, and my own children have benefited from going to one. They meet the needs of many children who can't cope in large primary schools. 174 Clapham school provides an education for children in a rural area from rural backgrounds whom flourish in an environment only a rural smaller school can provide. Young children in my opinion need to be held in a family feel environment, again something only schools like Clapham can provide. Smaller schools provide many things that larger schools cannot and some families need those special smaller schools. It's the closest Parent thing to variety in our education system at the moment. The school also helps bind the community. It brings new families together and unites the older community with them through memories. Here in Clapham the whole village clearly values the school and sees it as part of the village identity. It would be a sad day if the school and what it offers were to disappear. 175 Closing Clapham Primary would be bad for the local community. There are many reasons why the school should stay open. Clapham is on the verge of becoming a place young families would want to move to. There Relative is a new development of houses being built that makes Clapham an attractive place to raise a family. Why would you want put this at risk? 176 I signed the petition against closing Clapham Primary school. I have had no correspondence / emails relating to the progress in the situation. I Community would appreciate an update on the situation. 177 Too many Dales schools are closing. My grandson is due to go there Grandparent 178 It is important to keep Clapham school open .all the development in the Community area will mean more children to come through school, A good school! 179 Why in a developing village is it logical to close the school? Ex Pupil 180 The school is at the heart of the community, and with the expansion of the village, is likely to have an increasing number of children. Parents in our village should have a choice of whether to send their children to Community larger schools or to a village school - and the options for village schools in North Craven have significantly reduced in recent years. While we understand that the school is currently not financially viable, closing it at this stage is short-sighted - the school population has always risen and fallen over the years. In the recent past, village school pupil numbers were far lower than Clapham is now, before closure was threatened. The community is strongly behind the school and would work with the council to find a positive way forward. The school is used by other groups out of school hours - perhaps this is something that could be expanded to provide another income stream for the school. 181 The closure of Clapham School is the removal of parental choice in this area to attend a smaller school. Dales people look after each other, they nurture and support each other with understanding of each other's backgrounds, needs and aspirations, their children can receive a high- class education that will enable Clapham community to thrive. Given Community the housing development in the village, the opportunity should be given to preserver until the Yorkshire Dales housing plan has time to come into fruition, along with taking North Yorkshire's health and wellbeing plan to include mental health strategy, hope control and choice into the heart of this community. 182 North Yorkshire County Council: I am writing in support of keeping open the Primary School in Clapham. Although I don't live in Clapham, I have family there and visit as often as I can. Clapham Village is a beautiful, well-preserved historic treasure and needs all of its supporting institutions in order to stay vital. Without the school, young families simply will not feel welcome or come to live and make their homes in Clapham! Keeping the school is a way of constantly bringing in new life and activity to the community! It would be a tragic failing if there were no Community educational opportunities for children in this town which values affordability and diversity. The rural character of this historic village, as with others, relies heavily on the commerce which is driven by many factors. There is no single defining institution which creates community. Instead, a compilation of all aspects of family and societal organization are required! I hope this Council will elect to continue providing this educational opportunity for the Village of Clapham. 183 The school is an essential part of village life, and has been historically for generations. We as a family have benefitted from being able to walk our children to school, and want other families to be able to have this Community/ experience too - a benefit to the health of children and decreasing the Former vehicle use that would ensue if the children needed to access other Governor schools. We came to the village because of the school, and other families are likely to be attracted to a strong and vibrant school - young families coming into the village, in turn, benefits the whole village 184 We need to keep school open for the future of the community Community 185 Clapham is a thriving community with two church families, pub, and community run shop amongst other local businesses and transport networks. I see no reason why this village school cannot flourish within this setting alongside the support of residents and community members. I attended a small school and received a breadth of curriculum enabling me to carry out my further education at university. Small schools Community produce confident and motivated children, who go on to do amazing things. Vertical streaming is where ages and abilities are taught together and enables them to learn from each other and this removes the ceiling of children's learning. DON'T LET CLAPHAM TURN INTO ANOTHER VILLAGE SCHOOL STATISTIC. 186 Wherever you care to look houses are being built -- policy, build unaffordable houses for the low paid -- policy, burden them with council tax -- policy, close their school --- policy, make them travel sixty miles, Community or more to a hospital for special treatment. To name but a few. If this is the policy of the elected, then in my opinion it be a total disgrace? Children are our future, keep their school! 187 As an association which represents the interests of the landowners of Newby, we have always been an active and practical supporter of the school, we strongly oppose your proposal to close it. The primary school is a vital part of any sustainable community, encouraging younger families to come and live in the villages of Clapham and Newby especially in the local estate houses. There are also many more new Community houses being built and barns converted than you state in the consultation document. This will surely attract more pupils to the school and help it towards a viable future. We know that the Governors, parents and local community action group are already developing a recovery plan that will help build a secure vibrant future for our school and Newby landowners is very keen to be a part of that. 188 As a young adult who will, this summer, be moving back into the catchment of Clapham Primary School I am strongly opposed to the closure of the school. Evidence gathered by the Clapham School Community Action Group suggests that the current dip in pupils on role is temporary and that numbers will rise significantly over the next few Returning to years due to new housing and the local Ingleborough Estate following a village policy of renting to families with young children. Financial sustainability will return with these higher pupil numbers. I would hope that your proposal can be withdrawn and that the action plan being formulated by the Governors, parents and community can be put in place. 189 As stated in the responses to the closure of Horton-In-Ribblesdale Primary School consultation, a forward forecast of pupil numbers in the area stated current housing needs carried out by CDC in it's plan, suggested that outstanding planning permission and residual housing need for the area would result in 515 dwellings. These would be built over a 5 year period, stating 130 children would be fighting for 52 school places. How can it be cost effective for Settle, Ingleton and Austwick to each build extra classrooms when there is a well maintained, Community exceptional learning environment and outside space available at Clapham. Can this be a good use of public money? Capitation - should this not be an area the council look at. A possibility of introducing an isolated school payment. I believe payments per pupil are higher in some areas e.g. London. It is not sustainable for all rural communities to become tourist attractions or museums. Rural communities must be allowed to thrive and without a school they cannot do this. 190 I have a child in Year 2 at Clapham CofE Primary School and a child who is on the waiting list for the nursery to hopefully start after this Easter holiday. I chose Clapham school because it is Ofsted rated outstanding and because it seems to be a very happy and nurturing school, which I believe helps children learn to the best of their ability. My child is achieving/ exceeding all of his targets and he enjoys going in Parent to school every day. In comparison to his previous school, the attention to detail the teachers give and the way the teachers understand him, benefit him greatly in all areas of the curriculum. He also enjoys spending time with the different age groups and this seems to have a positive effect on his social development. It wouldn't concern me for the next academic year that the pupil numbers will have fallen below what is recommended, as for my child I think the positives of the school would outweigh this in the short term. Breakfast/ after school clubs would seem to be an essential part of attracting and keeping pupils. I would be able to volunteer to help with these. There are a couple of families I know of who would have liked to have sent their children to Clapham but due to there being no breakfast clubs and inconsistent after school clubs they weren't able to. Although I don't know enough about this yet, it is a concern to me that there isn't an equal/ suitable alternative to Clapham school. We live outside of the Clapham catchment area and my children may not be able to get places at the nearest outstanding rated school. The values of a Church of England school are also important to us. The consultation for closure process has been stressful and upsetting and I have a few concerns regarding this: My child was told by the school early on in this process that the school might be closing but with no idea which school he would go to or which friends he would go with. This has been unsettling for him. There seems to have been little reassurance from yourselves about places at other schools. As community involvement seems important for all schools and especially so for rural schools, I don't understand why the community is not able to be made aware that the school needs help in certain areas before the consultation for closure decision is made. It would seem this may have made a big difference and avoided unnecessary uncertainty for the children. 191 I wish to protest against the closure of Clapham, Primary School, considering it a short sighted, financially based and devoid of logic. Let us first examine each of the criteria quoted as reason for closure. Falling pupil numbers The closure document cites falling pupil numbers as a reason for proposing closure. Has anyone in the Local Authority has actually analysed the reasons why pupil numbers fell? I believe a majority were related to management issues for which parents proactively asked for official assistance to resolve, but the LA failed to act. These issues have since resolved themselves and I know of at least one family who have now returned to Clapham school and another that is in the process of doing so. It is unreasonable to expect other children who are now settled at different schools to return, but the dip in numbers would naturally recover as younger children in the area reach school age and feed through. The community is working towards re- establishing a toddler group to attract new families, and ensuring there is wrap around care to allow working families to choose our school. The Parent details of this will be submitted separately, but I fully support them as a parent volunteer. Breadth of curriculum The argument that the small number of pupils means that children's social needs are not to a level to meet the National Curriculum standards is subjective at best, and in a small rural community simply wrong. Mixed age classes have several benefits for the children. It teaches them to socialise with different age groups which is far more useful in the real world of a dispersed and rural community than only interacting with children of the same year. It fosters empathy towards the younger children and confidence with older children. Currently the number of pupils is unusually low, but given time this will resolve as, if the school is allowed to remain open, a new generation of young children will feed through. Financial position I am not a governor of the school therefore do not have access to the details of the school’s finances, however this is obviously directly related to the reduction in the number of pupils. Both the community and the parents are prepared to work towards providing a financial buffer but no clear number for the financial amount required seems to be available. We have confidence that the number of children will resolve itself, but we need time to attract new pupils to the school (and allow some in the area to grow up). Leadership Again, as I am not a governor, I do not have access to the specifics of what has been done to find an executive headteacher or the costs involved. Given the difficulties that headteachers already face I am not surprised that none of them are able to take on an executive headship of our school, but surely with improved finances the school could find a full time headteacher? If we were given the time to increase the number of pupils, and the attractiveness that improved leadership brings, the school would be able to sustain a full time headteacher. Now let us move on to issues conveniently not discussed in the closure document. The placement of the 28 pupils in other local schools I think that the number of places available at surrounding schools provided at the public consultation meeting were extremely questionable. On the Ofsted pages it shows Austwick has a capacity of 60 (which will be filled by this Summer without any pupils from Clapham School). And Ingleton school has a capacity of 180 pupils with 196 currently attending. At the consultation meeting they had estimates for the number of predicted pupils in the future based on (incorrectly low) numbers of new houses being built. Have they also calculated the effect of new housing on the number of places at the alternative schools suggested? I drive past 10 houses currently under construction in Ingleton with at least another 4 with approved planning. Presumably these prospective pupils will be expected to go to Ingleton school which is already oversubscribed based on the Ofsted numbers. Therefore, I think it is illogical and bizarre to close down Clapham school as the school places are clearly still required in the area. The effect on the community and the sustainability of Clapham village The local community have been horrified at the prospect of the closure, and rightly see the loss of the school as a death knell on future family settlement and the long-term health of the village. This school is valued much more than the simple balance sheet on an accountant’s desk and its importance to the survival of Clapham as a living community is massive. No house developer is going to be interested in building new housing for starter families where there is no provision for children. The value of property in the village will stagnate as buyers look to more attractive family locations. Even taking all of the above discussion into account there is an even greater reason to leave the school open – the damage that will be done to the families of 28 children who have done nothing to deserve it, and who are pawns in an accountant’s game. My family is one of those pawns so let me detail the damage that will be done to just one family as an example. There will be many similar stories. My family’s reasons for wanting the school to remain open are as follows: I have two daughters currently attending Clapham C of E Primary School. One has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder with Learning Difficulties and the other is on a waiting list for assessment. Even though we are outside the catchment area for Clapham school we specifically go there because it is a small and friendly environment. Despite her difficulties, my elder daughter continues to make steady progress at the school and I believe this is due to the extra teacher input available because of the small classes. The other advantage of having less children is that my daughter feels more comfortable because she knows everyone in the school (children and teachers) and is less distracted in the classroom as there is a small number of pupils. Also, I feel that the mixed age classes foster empathy in the children for different abilities (as some of the children are younger), so she is not subjected to bullying for being behind academically or having unusual stimming behaviours. I don't believe that her educational needs will be met at the other surrounding schools because they are much larger, therefore the classes will be bigger, and the teachers will not be able to give her as much extra attention. Even if this was addressed by providing a 1-1 teaching assistant (at extra cost to the authorities), the impact extra children will have on her will extend beyond the classroom, causing anxiety in the playground, which will continue to affect her after break times when she is back in the classroom. In addition my children are vulnerable to the risk of bullying due to their special needs and this is more likely in a bigger school which does not have the friendly community spirit of Clapham. Because of her Autistic condition she is resistant to change, therefore every year when she changes teachers and classrooms she will be distracted from learning because she will be fighting the changes (the mixed age classes at Clapham means she stays in the same class for several years). This is a particularly concerning with Ingleton School (our catchment school) because, as they already have more pupils than space, her year has lessons in the hall in the mornings and then joins in with other classes for the afternoon. I am concerned that this will be seriously disruptive for her as she will be forced to deal with different venues and different children on a daily basis. I believe school should be a comfortable environment that promotes learning, not somewhere where she needs extra help in order to compensate for distractions caused by the environment itself. Additionally, we must take into account the added stress and unnecessary anxiety it will cause my children and the irrevocable detrimental impact on their education while we go through the process of obtaining EHCPs to meet their needs. Conclusion The only benefit of closing Clapham school will be an anticipated financial saving to the Local Authority by having less schools with more children packed in. However, I believe my children, along with all the others, will increase the costs and burden in already overcrowded neighbouring schools, especially considering requirements of additional support for SEN children and transport costs for families who are currently able to walk to school. Therefore I have no confidence that the Local Authority is acting in the best interests of the children but merely for their own, short sighted, financial benefit. 192 Dear Sir/Madam Both my daughter and my son have been extremely happy at Clapham primary school and had an educational experience second to none. They were in a fantastic environment within the village and close to home, which was very important to us. The activities out with the school curriculum were superb as were the residential trips/vacations. The entire community is involved with the school, including older generations who are retired/no longer have children attending the school. They support the school greatly as they see it as Parent being an essential part of community life within the village. The future of the village as a whole is threatened by the closure of the school because it will attract fewer younger families into the area if there is no school for their children to attend. I am aware that the school is currently in a very weak financial position but I am sure this is a very short-term situation and can be resolved with concerted efforts to attract new children to the school from the village and surrounding areas, especially in light of the fact that a substantial amount of new houses are currently being built both next door to the school and in the neighbouring village of Horton-In-Ribblesdale. I know it will be possible for the community to help support the school financially through this short-term period as many offers of support have already been pledged. Re-introduction of breakfast and afternoon clubs will help to attract new children to the school and offers of voluntary help in this respect have already been received. It would be very sad indeed to lose a school that has served the community for over 100 years just because of a very temporary short-fall in pupil numbers. One of the main reasons we chose to send our children to this school is because it is a church school and the next nearest church school in the area is out with our parish. I do hope and pray that the school can remain open. 193 I write as a concerned grandparent about the possible closure of Clapham Primary School. I have four grandchildren, three of whom have attended Clapham school. Two have now moved into secondary school, one is in Year 5 and the youngest at fifteen months would be eligible to start nursery if the school stays open. My daughter chose Clapham school because of the values that a Church of England school upholds. Clapham is a lovely village school, with a caring and nurturing ethos and the village would be poorer without it. One of my grandchildren has autism and benefited greatly from attending Clapham school. The children and the community were very accepting of her which I know would not necessarily happen in a bigger school. Big is not always best as one size does not fit all as each child is an individual and develops at different rates. My grandson who is in Year 5 had a year at Ingleton Primary school and didn't cope very well in a larger school. A small school makes it easier for children to make the transition from home to Grandparent school life. Making the experience not as daunting due to smaller class sizes. A school is the heartbeat of the village, helping to keep it vibrant. Closing the school is just one more nail in the coffin for a rural community. Several village schools have already been closed in the area over the past four years. If the remaining primary schools in the area are at full capacity where do you expect Clapham children to go? Have the LEA considered the effect on the dynamics of the village should the school close. The school encourages wider community involvement. Villagers regularly support school events such as quiz nights, the Christmas fair and school concerts. Some of these events are held in the village hall which helps to keep another vital village asset sustainable. Should the school close, families would not be attracted to live in the village leaving it full of older residents and the village would eventually die. 194 I am totally opposed to the proposed closure of Clapham C of E Primary School. Having had a daughter educated there I am well aware of the quality and value of a small school education; children in small schools learn to work and play alongside other children of all ages, they help and look out for each other, and they take responsibility more readily simply because there aren’t dozens of other people who will do whatever task has to be done. Clapham School is very much at the heart of our Community community and children grow up feeling that they are a part of this community; they forge friendships not only with their peers but also with older people in the community. Part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s vision is to be “home to strong, self-reliant and balanced communities with good access to the services they need”. Young and old live alongside each other and support each other at different phases of their lives; this is what being part of a balanced community is all about. Closing the village school will wipe out the younger end of this balanced population as young families will be forced to live in the towns if they want to avoid long journeys for young children and rural villages will be left with an ageing population and no supportive community around them. Clapham School unfortunately experienced poor leadership a couple of years ago through the appointment of a young teacher as a headmaster who simply didn’t have the experience to deal effectively with issues which can arise in any school. This resulted in several parents removing their children from the school. Instead of supporting the school through a difficult period and helping the school to increase its numbers, the Local Authority appears to have seized the opportunity to try to close yet another rural school putting forward the same old arguments of pupil numbers, breadth of curriculum, financial position and leadership. As has already been demonstrated since September 2018 with the appointment of the current acting head, good leadership improves the quality of the curriculum which brings back the children, which improves the financial position and thus secures the longer term viability of the school. We know that within the catchment area there are at least 45 children of primary school age and often in the past there have been up to a dozen from out of catchment who choose to come to Clapham because of its size, its quality of education and its status as a faith school. That means that there are more than enough children to support a school in Clapham, yet it would appear that the Local Authority has been using incorrect data when looking at the existing number of children and the potential new children from housing developments who will need schooling in the near future. This rather undermines the LA’s credibility when making decisions about whether a school should be allowed to remain open or not. Even the process and timing of the so-called consultation appears to be designed to ensure that the school closes: • No pre-consultation to give the community sufficient time to help the school in its time of need • First public meeting at which executives can be questioned not held until 3 weeks into the 7 week consultation period leaving parents, governors and the community very little time to put together an informed recovery plan • Very slow responses from the LA to requests for information • By the end of the consultation period we will be well into the period during which new staff should be being recruited for next September which is what the school actually needs • If the County Council’s Executive decides on 26th June to close the school and an appeal is to be sent to the Schools Adjudicator, the parents will all have moved their children to other schools before the appeal can even be heard. The consultation should therefore be withdrawn and the Local Authority should put in place a 3-4 year support programme to allow the school to return to its normal level of operation. 195 It seems that, since the closure of Settle Middle School - and the subsequent opening of an extra class at Clapham CE Primary - there has been a slight downward trend in numbers. However, given the limitations of the sample, it is difficult to predict that this trend will continue long term. In fact the numbers for 2019/20 appear to be very Resident slightly higher than for the current academic year. Given that a number of parents living in the village have chosen to send their children to other schools (or to home-school them) it would appear that the failure to recruit & retain an effective school leader has been a much more significant factor in any perceived decline in the school roll than the number of children in the village eligible to attend the school. This failure means that the Council must accept responsibility for the situation we now find ourselves in. A much more positive approach would be to invest in resourcing the school rather than to threaten closure. The recent and ongoing building of several new family homes on the site of the former Gorner's Garage, coupled with a comprehensive refurbishment plan for many of the estate-owned properties in the village, means that there is at least the potential for growth in the student roll. This must be a factor in predicting future trends. The village has a track-record of resilience and community action - clearly evidenced by its success in establishing a thriving, award-winning village shop staffed largely by volunteers. There is no doubt that there would be many people living in Clapham who would be willing to work hard to support school activities in order to help provide broader opportunities for children at the school. Given the village's historic relationship with the Farrar Estate, and the Estate's willingness to support the school, it would appear that there is a unique opportunity to be derived from that synergy. The Forest School movement, for example, could so easily be involved, offering real potential for the establishment of a USP for the school - potentially attracting pupils from beyond the village itself. As the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is based in Clapham, there must also surely be opportunities of a similar nature to be derived from closer collaboration with that organisation. The sensible way forward would be top give the school and its community time to develop plans like these. At a time when the Government's austerity programme is having such a devastating effect on rural areas, the loss of the village school would be a further blow to this particular Dales community, adding unnecessarily to the uncertainty of rural life at the very worst of times. I can only argue in the strongest terms against such a short-sighted step. 196 As visitors on many occasions to Clapham, my Farrer family home, I visited the Clapham Primary School with my uncle xxxx xxxxxx, and learned about its history and its important role as a hub of village life. I Friends of know the trustees of the Farrer estate are making extraordinary efforts Clapham to attract young families to the community, and the school will be a critical component of their revitalization plans. I urge you to work with the community in maintaining its viability. 197 Please do not close this valuable School, a recent change to the Vicar providing balanced support to both Clapham and Austwick, the support of the Clapham Community in terms of financial support is evident in the Village Store and YDMT, Cave Rescue all based in Clapham Village. There has been some Management issues of the Teaching Team and admin appointments along with a conflict of support with Austwick School in the past, Governor based I believe. This has had huge impact. But following changes in these areas and with support and guidance to the GB, I believe Clapham will once again attract local children from the Community Clapham with Keasden Parish and not experience the same level of poaching from Austwick. Ongoing support from Ingleton Primary School tor Clapham to remain open and work together for the greater benefit of the local Community is very much present and has been evident for at least the past four years. New housing in Clapham, new farming families are all moving into the area, projected potential pupil numbers in the Clapham catchment area are increasing! Indeed in the recent short past Clapham School had significantly over 40 pupils. I believe this will indeed be the case in the imminent future if the right appointments are made by the Governors and the Community Support is in place - which I believe it is. Please at least allow one more School year for the Clapham School Support to demonstrate this to you as part of a longer term projected plan. Help them to appoint the right head teacher and underwrite the funding via their community support and prove its very special place in our community! 198 Clapham school is a core part of the community and indeed one that is currently growing with new development and key focus on attracting families. The alternative of Bentham is not viable for many historical and practical reasons especially when taking into account the age of the Community children. The size of the response to this consultation should be considered against the size of the local population. As a small, but growing village, you can only expect low volume which could be a large proportion than it first appears. 199 I am a Clapham resident and am saddened and dismayed that NYCC has decided on this proposal to close the school. Having been involved in education and in village life for many years I can see the effect the closure of the village school for the village and surrounding areas. Indeed, having been a former Chair of Governors at Horton-in- Ribblesdale school I can vouch first hand to the devasting effect the school closure has had on that Village and its residents. To close the Resident school would be in direct contradiction to Government policy and that of the YDNP and local Council for sustainable growth in rural communities. There are a number of family houses recently on the market in Clapham and also family houses become available regularly from the Estate which would swell numbers. Also Clapham School would make an ideal Forest School for the area, as Horton School is no longer. I hope consideration is given to this. 200 Closing schools in rural communities have long term affects. Clapham village is expanding and the Ingleborough Estate is targeting young Community families to create greater diversity in the village. Closing the village school will have a long term negative affect 201 The current vulnerable situation at Clapham School is the consequence of a clear set of circumstances known to the Local Authority, all of which are well in the past, and which over the last year have begun to be successfully addressed by a new group of governors and a committed, skilled interim headteacher and her staff. More time is what is being requested, to enable this good recovery to continue. The Governing Body and the Clapham, Newby, Keasden community - individually and Foundation significantly through the Clapham School Community Action Group - Governor and have worked tirelessly and with skill and expertise to together produce a Community forward plan for the school in which the school finances are underwritten member - by the Clapham Education Trust, and which will over a set period, bring Church of stability to the school and put it in a position again to be able to federate England with other local schools, strengthening education across the whole area. priest in The numbers of projected pupils on the Consultation document are charge of demonstrably underestimated and the true figures, as detailed in the Clapham, representations from The Governing Body and the Clapham School Austwick Community Action Group, enable a viable Educational Plan to be presented. The community around the school is proven to have a winning voluntary ethos (as demonstrated by the ongoing success of other community voluntary ventures such as the village shop and B4RN broadband installation project) and the activity during the consultation process has demonstrated the willpower and capacity in the community for providing the school with all the financial and human resources it needs to develop and flourish. The formation of the Clapham Education Trust and the inauguration of a body prepared to offer a school ‘stay and play’ group, nursery provision and wrap-around care, witness to this. I am the local Church of England parish priest, also serving Austwick and thus a Foundation Governor of both Clapham and Austwick Church of England Primary Schools. I cannot see how the closure of Clapham will be of positive educational value to any of our local children as the increasing numbers will stretch Austwick to capacity, thus diminishing the childrens' educational experience (this is despite the room expansion currently taking place at Austwick. It is important to factor in that the current building of new properties in Horton will also impact on Austwick numbers). Far better to support Clapham in its viable short to medium term recovery, so as to put it in a position to work more closely in partnership with Austwick and other local schools in the future. I request that the Local Authority will take very seriously the substantial response from the Governing body and the Clapham community, call a halt to this closure consultation and instead work supportively with us for the development of schooling in Clapham for the immediate and long term future. 202 Below are the comments which were included in the responses (174 in total) from the Neighbourhood Development Plan questionnaires which were circulated to every house in the Civil Parish of Clapham-cum- Newby with Keasden, prior to the village school consultation meeting on 7th March 2019: • If our children's school was to close, it would have a negative effect of the village as a whole. It is at the heart of the community, and with the new houses being built, where would all of the children who come into the community attend? • Concern over potential impact of Clapham School closure School has a key to the villages sustainability • School closure should be avoided - would have an adverse effect on the whole community. • Support the village school - particularly if you live in an estate property. • As a community we should have sung the praises of the village school more to encourage local parents to support it. Unfortunately we may have been too late with our support • Following the meeting on 7/3/19 it appears that we may possibly be about to not have a primary school. I hope that our neighbourhood plan can be used to support the school staying open. • The school should remain as a school. • We are surprised that there is Community no section relating to Clapham Primary School, This is a vital asset to our community and a keystone to the sustainability of our village, With the proposal to close the school we feel it is vital to collect resident opinions on this topic for the Neighbourhood plan = perhaps an appendix would be circulated for incorporation in the plan (NB The documentation for the Neighbourhood Development Plan was produced prior to the consultation on the school closure being announced) • A village is not a village without a church school, pub and shop! • The school, especially when you see such happy children going to and from it which shows they are contented and being taught to a high standard by dedicated teachers. The character of the village has been maintained throughout its history to present day. • The school is important to the community and should be kept operating to provide a good start for our children without having to transport them out of the parish • If the school was to close, we as a family would struggle to communicate with what was going on in the village, with regards to events etc. as we live in Keasden, and our main port of contact is via the school community. Without the school we would miss out on a number of aspects. • When does a village become or lose its charm? When too many new houses are build - no children for the schools yet these houses always become second homes. • CLAPHAM SCHOOL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CLOSE 203 I had heard about Clapham primary school and was dismayed to hear the news, not least because both my sons went to the early year’s group at Clapham school. We lived in Eldroth when our eldest son was 1 and we had moved up from Cambridge. Actually xxxxx helped to establish the early year’s group with xx xxxxxxxx and despite moving to Selside both our boys were very happy to be there - the quality of provision was excellent under xxxxx xxxxxxxx. Our decision to send them to Ingleton school was purely logistical as my parents lived in there and we didn't have a local school that offered any out of hour’s provision. From an anecdotal point of view I believe that children from small primary schools can not only see themselves as individuals in a small community where they are valued and nurtured but they are also immersed into collaborative events such as the big sing and sporting events that give them perspective on their wider community. I have always been impressed by the engagement and individuality of children from schools Parent like Austwick and Clapham as a secondary school teacher so agree wholeheartedly that children should be educated where they have roots and belonging. As a governor in Ingleton for a number of years I was also involved in the numbers game which saw teachers being made redundant then new staff recruited a number of years later when the birth rate rose again. These figures are readily available to those making decision and I agree that the fickleness of parents, constantly changing primary schools has a large part to play in determining the short term viability of smaller schools. Clapham is a vibrant village which has invested so much into the school. I hope there is a reprieve. On another note, I have xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx contact details. She has been heavily involved in Horton school, both before and after closure. She may have advice which may help. I hope this helps - from a parent, teacher, governor and local resident's perspective. 204 Clapham school is a wonderful place of education, and it would be a real Community loss to the community and surrounding area. 205 I am dismayed to see the proposal to close Clapham School, I do not live in Clapham myself but I have several friends that do and visit there on a regular basis. If the school does close I envisage families with young children moving out of the village and as one goes another will follow, as they will want to live near a school that is suitable for their children and the friends they have made in the village. Other young Friends of families will not move to Clapham due to the lack of a school and it will Clapham quickly become a community of elderly residents who will gradually pass away leaving the village with empty properties that will probably become holiday lets and no residents to maintain the cafes, shops, church and village life in general. Closing village schools destroys communities please do not let this happen to Clapham. 206 Clapham Primary School is vital to the village and wider parish of Clapham, the heart of the village even. As a child growing up my entire world revolved around the school and the relationships and friends we Ex Pupil made with adults and children. It's this connection to the village that encouraged me 25 years after I left the school to come back and run my family business next door. Losing the school would lose these connections with the village for ever more. Driving to another town would remove these links and networks, as well as putting pressure on other rural schools. Local businesses such as mine are very keen to work with the local community on all things including the school to ensure the village continues to thrive, attract new visitors, residents and boosts the local economy. Many in the village are rallying to save the school and all are passionate about doing anything they can to ensure it continues. Just looking at the success of the local community shop run almost entirely by volunteers shows how much the village cares about all the parts of its community. I strongly believe that if the school is to survive this would have been the wakeup call that spurns us in the community to ensure this situation never happens again. 207 I disagree that Clapham School should close because some of the data we were given at the consultation meeting were flawed. The amount of time given to residents to respond to this situation is unacceptably short. There are many affluent and influential residents who have the ability to overcome the perceived problems and in my view the consultation period should be extended by at least 12 months to allow effective Resident solutions to be found. At the consultation meeting we were invited to contact the chair of governors with suggestions. I emailed the school straight after the meeting to ask to be put in contact and I have yet to receive any reply. I trust that your hasty former decision will be reviewed satisfactorily, in the light of all the new evidence which has come to the fore in recent weeks. 208 Please do not close Clapham Primary School as it will have an adverse impact on the entire community, especially on the retention of younger Community people within the National Park. 209 Whilst we have no school age children and are therefore not directly affected by the closure of Clapham Primary School, we are very concerned about the impact this potential closure may have on the village. A village will only thrive if young blood is encouraged into the area. In our opinion, one of the main problems is the lack of affordable housing for young families in Clapham. The new estate on Old Road in Clapham is a prime example where semi-detached houses are on the market for upwards of £370,000 and indeed some are even £470,000. How can any young family afford these prices? There is excellent provision of secondary education in Settle, so it should follow that families would want to move to the outlying villages to take advantage of Community this for their children, but this cannot and will not happen without affordable housing for these people. I would add that the above mentioned houses have been on the market for some considerable time, and most remain empty and unsold. The community shop may also be affected by the lack of new families coming into the village as the needs of a younger population are greater than those of the older population which we currently have. We have a lovely safe play park in the village and need to encourage more families to enjoy living in this beautiful and tranquil area and to make use of the excellent and precious facilities which the village have fought so hard to keep and maintain in recent times. 210 Rural schools are so important to the community and the closure of the school will have a detrimental effect, not only from the standpoint that families rely on the close proximity of the school but equally they chose Community to live in Clapham to provide their children with a small school environment that better suits the need of their child. Large schools do not suit every child and forcing longer commutes and a learning environment that is ill-fit for that child is setting them up for failure. The sustainability of rural communities rely on the ability to provide families their children's education. Removing the school will dramatically reduce the pull that Clapham has for younger families. This will have a knock-on effect to local businesses and trade. It's therefore vital that government continue to support rural sustainability. 211 The school forms an integral part of the community and will play a key role in attracting families to the area. Larger schools will not provide the Community same experience for every child and some will suffer as a result of moving to a less intimate environment 212 Although I got the impression from the meeting held in the village hall that this consultation is nothing more than a going through the motions exercise just like every single other consultation has been in North Yorkshire, I still feel that I should give my views. I feel that closing this school will be short sighted in the extreme, there are more and more houses being built in the village and when these houses are occupied there will very likely be children who need to go to a good school within the local village and not miles away as is being proposed. You are condemning the village to a slow decline as has been the case where other schools have closed. The Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority stated aim is to encourage and nurture young family's to stay Community and move into villages such as ours, how does closing a school help to achieve this aim? I think it will do quite the opposite and will put people off from moving into the village simply because of the lack of a school. I know you think that the only type of schools that are viable are the ones that fit into your unreasonable financial constraints, but I think it is about time you people came to realise that not everything should boil down to cost, surely it is reasonable to expect that some schools will cost more than others to run? I think that there will also be a negative effect on the whole of this village which may eventually consign us to being one large home for old age pensioners. 213 I was Chair of Governors at the school until summer 2013. During my tenure the school entered a confederation and achieved ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted and SIAS status. It was (and remains) the accepted wisdom that village schools are more sustainable when they share resources and jointly provide an enriched education experience especially in Y6. The solution here is for Clapham to demonstrate ongoing viability and resources to share. This will benefit the recourse sharing partner schools as well. I note that the current financial data includes the provision for a stand- alone headteacher. Obviously a resource sharing arrangement could halve this cost overnight. Ex-Governor I understand that the school’s roll has fallen in part due to parents falling out with the school and removing their children. This is a result of poor management. I understand that the school’s leadership has been replaced and so and so this was a transitory, not a fundamental indicator of (none) viability. I also understand that the consultation data for future child numbers is based on incorrect housing resource information, and that a local chapel hosts a pre-school club which is well attended. Clapham Parish has sustained pupil numbers over 40 during my tenure at the school and there is no reason to think that the local demographics have changed so as to prevent this. Ingleborough Estate can detail their provision of rented accommodation which is within the financial reach of young local parents. I would urge the LA to broker a resource sharing arrangement with local school in order to improve the sustainability of both schools and to allow Clapham to revive the roll. It may be the case that third party contributions may be made to top up ad budget deficit if necessary. 214 We are a family owned and run business, currently building 22 family homes in Clapham. We also have planning permission for a further 3 Community hours. We are marketing these homes to attract families and would be disappointed that the school may close. (We also live in the village). 215 Clapham Church of England Primary School I am writing this because as a teacher for all my working life, now a governor of a small village school, and a frequent visitor to Clapham over the last fifty or so years I am concerned about the possible closure of the village school. I am well aware that the small number of children is a problem, but I also know that in the past, when this problem arose, it was successfully addressed by a policy of giving housing preference in the catchment area to families with young children. I would hope that you would consider giving this another try and keeping the school open for a limited number of years to see whether such a housing policy, particularly on the Ingleborough Estate, could solve the problem. I am sure you will have given this a great deal of thought already, but I would like just to say that as far as keeping a small village school open I see the following important benefits to both the children and the village community. A) Benefit to the children 1) A small school is more likely to be able to give each child the feeling of belonging to a school community. 2) A small school enables all staff to know not only each child, but also most likely personally his/her parent(s), and they can much better address and/or make allowance for what is required if any child has individual needs, whether it be a SEND child, a Looked After Child, an exceptionally bright child, or a child which for any other reason needs special attention. 3) In Frequent a small school staff are far more likely to be able to help the children Visitor develop interpersonal skills such as respect for another child, empathy with a child with special difficulties, the ability to share, how to communicate with adults, i.e. members of staff, and a general sense of common purpose. 4) In a small school a larger proportion of the school population of even young children can take on responsibilities, which in a big school would probably be beyond them, such as being successful Eco Warriors who look after the school environment, being a member of the School Council, being Team Leaders organising e.g. break-time activities like football, or gardening in the school grounds. A) Benefits to the village community 1) Children who grow up in a friendly small primary school with a feeling of community, of respect for others, and a knowledge of what it means to belong and to carry responsibility, are likely to carry these attitudes out into life outside school, e.g. the village playground, the wider village environment, and their interactions with adults other than their teachers. They are also quite likely to adhere to those values beyond the village school into secondary school and adulthood. 2) Groups of children and parents walking to school together, the parents meeting outside the school gates, working together at fundraising activities or at the Parent/Teacher Association, are an important network for the cohesion of a village. I do hope you will look at this favourably and give Clapham School another chance. 216 I do wish this decision could be made after the new housing that is being built in Clapham have been occupied. As this may change the logic dynamics of this proposal. What I have seen of the children is that they are happy and they also bring life to the village that cannot be Community replicated. A village in balance. If removed, like the Post Office, it becomes a dormitory village, just a pretty place for tourist to visit and not a place where families want to live. 217 I wish to protest against the closure of Clapham Primary School. The school is a key part of the village and the closure will have a major negative impact on families in it, and damage prospects for bringing in new families to the new housing currently being built. As a parent of two children with special needs (one officially diagnosed, the other under assessment), I am concerned with the prospect of moving them to larger Parent schools as this would hamper their educational progress. Both struggle with concentration and the small class size helps reduce the distractions. I anticipate a lot of stress and anxiety (and therefore falling further behind in their education) in the event of moving to one of the suggested alternative schools. 218 The message this proposal sends is that families are not provided for in Clapham Village. Such a message simply reinforces the trend towards Dales villages becoming a ghetto for the retired instead of vibrant communities encompassing all walks of life. This, in turn, will result in more and more objections by residents to any new developments linked to providing employment and so the Dales will slowly change and not for the better. It means more car journeys for children and parents and fewer school activities for children. Any alternative school means a twice daily journey along the A65, not the safest of roads! The cost of Local providing the school transport is a significant one. It is ironic and sad Business that former 'lords of the manor' could provide essential village amenities Owner yet today's elected institutions can find all sorts of reasons for shutting them down in the name of progress! The planned significant increase in the number of dwellings in the Village seems to have been ignored or not factored in to the longer term considerations and this must surely outweigh ALL the temporary negative factors being used to justify the proposal. I would urge NYCC to consider again their proposal in view of the financial offers of help for the school and the changing structure of the village. 219 Consultation to close Clapham Primary School The consultation document cites four key concerns:  Very low pupil numbers;  Breadth of curriculum,  The schools financial position, and  Leadership and it is proposed that Clapham CE VC Primary School should close with effect from 31 August 2019 and that the catchment areas of both Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham CP School are expanded to include the current Clapham catchment area. All of the concerns listed above which have led to the County Council’s proposed action are based on a falling school roll (pupil numbers) over the last six years. This seems to me to be a mechanical reaction (misunderstanding actual causes) in which pupil numbers are seen as an independent variable, unrelated to other factors and which is the sole cause of the other problems. The actual position is concerning but unclear. We have no picture of the variation in pupil numbers over a longer period, the causes of the recruitment problems nor the opportunities which could provide a wider and more appropriate curriculum beyond 2020. These are seemingly placed at the door of “very low pupil numbers”. There has been no indication of the community support which could be made available to provide a vibrant school experience nor has any enquiry into this been apparent either from governors or from the County Council. Opportunities for using the school for wider educational purposes does not seem to have been evaluated, nor the financial benefits which might accrue. It is generally understood within the community that over the last few years parental choices have reflected some dissatisfaction with the school. Specifically, the way in which gender and gender balance has been managed, opportunities made available for wider perspectives on the world, engagement with the local community beyond the governing body and the shared educational objectives which could be a reason for wanting your child to be educated in the village. It is clear that some parents have not valued what has been on offer and used other schools in preference to Clapham. The situation with teaching staff, frequency of changes and uncertainty have all been contributory factors. Demographic changes are certainly one part of this issue but it may be important to distinguish between cause and effect. If the school were to be better staffed, had an educational policy which went beyond curriculum delivery into broader educational needs, utilised some of the resources available in the community, parents may not choose to use other schools. The test for this is difficult, but not impossible. The community plan and its links to other communities in the area, population estimates and the natural variation which occurs from one period to another would all need to be evaluated. But the life of the community would be greatly enhanced by a vibrant and engaging place of education at its heart and the effect of this on pupil numbers and financial stability would be significant. It is a mistake to consider low pupil numbers as the sole cause of the school’s problems and seeing it as a symptom of other difficulties may be beneficial. Whilst numbers currently show a downward trend, this is in the light of inaction addressing preferred parental choices and other community involvement. Unless this is addressed, even extending the catchment areas of schools in Austwick and Bentham could be, in the longer term, fruitless. 220 Observations: the school is a vital part of the community, serving a different generation of residents to most other amenities available. As a rural community the school is particularly important in maintaining a stable population in the area and attracting new families, as well as sustaining important local values. As a young couple having recently Community moved to the area, the option of a nearby primary school was a huge consideration in our decision to move to Clapham. As secondary school teachers we would both be keen in taking a more active role in supporting the school should it stay open (perhaps offering Science training for staff or occasional sessions for the students). 221 I find myself wholly in agreement with the arguments raised in support of NOT closing Clapham C.E. Primary School, and would therefore endorse them, by aligning with the ‘Action Group’. The village is on the Community cusp of a significant population increase. The Action Group will be in the picture for the ‘long haul’ and has professional skills and experience. The community proposal to create attractive ancillary services (and Clapham Community has a credible track record of communal effort cf. the community shop success) could yield favourable support from new parents It can be reasoned that a school within the community is a symbiotic part of the demographic entirety, to remove it will seriously diminish the whole. The educational milieu of the local people is informed and facilitated by the presence of a local school and its scholars. There is a mutuality in our life long education. Weighty consideration should also be given to the sustainability and risk factors around the possible increase of pupil travelling should a closure be effected. The action group have set out very credible figures to support their aim. 222 Closing a school in any rural area has a detrimental effect of the community, and this will be the same with Clapham should the closure go ahead. It will also have a negative impact on local families as well as the environment as more vehicles are forced onto the road. Children should also be given the opportunity wherever possible to be made to feel part of the local community and gain a sense of belonging, which is even more important these days where social media plays such a Community dominant role in young people's lives. Having a school in the village is crucial to allow this to happen. With the appointment of a good head, the school's strong governance and hugely supportive PTA, as well as great support from the wider community, the school has an excellent future, and given a chance, will thrive and become the hub of the community once again. I strongly urge the Council not to go ahead with the closure. 223 I retired and moved to this area 3 years ago and expect my son to move here as soon as he is able. Part of the reason for moving was the vibrant local community. Although there are many older people living here, it doesn’t feel like a retirement community. It is essential to balance the mix of ages and keeping the local school open is an essential feature of attracting families and jobs here. We now have B4RN which can help to attract and grow local business. We have a Resident new housing development which is marketing the value of the school. We have an active neighbourhood plan committee with brilliant participation in the local survey. I understand the numbers of future children have been underestimated and the local community is willing to put funds and support into keeping the school open. It is too soon to begin closure plans when such strong support is available. 224 A local primary school with easy access gives life to a village. It encourages young families and enlivens a community. Small schools Community are beneficial especially in rural areas. An attempt should be made to keep the school viable. 225 Having only heard about the proposal to close Clapham School shortly before the public consultation evening in the village hall, I wish to register my disappointment that the community has not been reached out to earlier. I understand that the Governors and County Council have been working hard in the background to try to identify a solution but the looming deadline has made it all the more difficult for the community to Community rally and come up with possible ways forward with basically no time. For this reason I would like the Council to reconsider the timescale for closure allowing time for the wider community to get involved to see if there can be a different outcome from the one that is being proposed. The school is such a key part of the community and as a small rural school has always had variable amounts of children on the roll. There are new housing developments in the area and the provision of a school in the village is of value to families moving to the area. I am aware of the financial difficulties experienced by small local schools but closure must surely be the final option and only when all other possibilities have been exhausted. With no involvement of the community up until this point I suggest that all options have not yet been explored and ask the council to take this into consideration. 226 Dear Sirs, You most endeavour to work with all the local organisations in Clapham- Clapham to work towards a viable future for Clapham School, with wrap cum-Newby around care at each end of the day & all the recent investment into the Parish school in recent years this facility has a place in the 21st century. 3 Council generations of my family have been taught there, there is huge support Chairman for the future.

Appendix 4

Submission by the Board of Governors

to the

Executive Education Committee North Yorkshire County Council

Regarding the Consultation for Closure of Clapham Church of England (VC) Primary School

1! CONTENTS

Membership of the Board of Governors ……………………………………………. 3

Executive Summary………………………………………………………………… 4

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 5

Background ………………………………………………………………………… 6

Pupil numbers ………………………………………………………………………. 7

Education …………………………………………………………………………… 9

Financial Recovery Plan….………………………………………………………….. 11

Leadership …………………………………………………………………………… 14

Impact of closure ……………………………………………………………………. 15

Parental Views ………………………………………………………………………… 17

Community …………………………………………………………………………… 18

Thinking ahead ………………………………………………………………………. 19

Summary and Recommendations ……………………………………………………. 21

Appendix……………………………………………………………………………… 22

2! Membership of the Board of Governors

Michael Ravey ………………………………….. Parent Governor & Chair Elizabeth Greenbank…………………………….. Foundation Governor Rev John Davies ………………………………… Foundation Governor Maria Farrer…..…………………………………. Local Authority Governor Angie Martin ……………………………………. Co-opted Governor Marilyn Galpin ……….…………………………. Co-opted Governor David Van Alphen………………………………… Parent Governor Katherine Marshall……………………………….. Head Teacher Jackie Rowe ……………………………………… Staff Governor

Michael Ravey Maria Farrer Chair LA Governor

3! EXCUTIVE SUMMARY

There has been a school in the village of Clapham since 1864 that has provided a high standard of education to the children of Clapham, Newby and Keasden culminating in an Ofsted judgement of outstanding in 2011. Since then the school has experienced a number of challenges which have ultimately lead to the process of Public Consultation that is now in progress.

As part of this process a steering group (Clapham Action Group) has been established to support the Governing Body. The aim has been to find collaborative responses to the challenges in order to propose a more resilient future for the school.

The fostering of this relationship, and the resulting evidence it has produced, has facilitated the Governing Body in presenting a viable recovery plan. This plan has secured a position from which the Governing Body can work with the Local Authority, Headteacher, staff, parents and the wider community to establish a school that is fit for purpose.

4! INTRODUCTION

This document represents the submission from the Governing Body of Clapham Church of England Primary School (hereinafter referred to as the GB) to the Executive Members of the North Yorkshire County Council Children and Young People’s Service (The Executive) to assist in their decisions regarding the future of Clapham School following the initial Public Consultation period. As a result of this period of consultation, the GB now believe they have substantial and substantiated evidence to support a viable recovery plan for the future of the school.

The consultation was instigated at the request of the GB as they were not in a position to submit a balanced budget for the year 2018/19 or a feasible recovery plan to address the cumulative impact of successive in-year budgetary shortfalls. The GB would like to state that the request to the Local Authority (LA) to initiate this consultation was not to initiate a process of closure, but rather to facilitate wider engagement with the community of Clapham and its surrounding areas. It was perceived as an opportunity to explore wider options for the school and to find a way of establishing a sustainable future. This approach has been very successful and has resulted in a series of positive outcomes, most importantly for the future of the school, but also the villages.

As a result of the initial public consultation meeting, a Community Action Group (CAG) was established as a steering group to work alongside the GB. Their detailed review of local demographics, alongside new evidence detailing current, ongoing and future planning has resulted in significant changes to the figures cited in the original briefing document as submitted to the Executive Members on 5th February 2019. Furthermore, the process of information gathering has drawn on a variety of individuals within the community who have specific expertise and skills relevant to the future survival of the school. In working alongside the CAG, the GB have now established a position from which they feel able to present new models of provision that open up the possibility for a feasible recovery plan and a sustainable future for the school. This plan takes into consideration finance, pupil numbers, leadership and the breadth and depth of educational provision.

The following sections outline the considerations, strategies and plans that the GB have identified as ways in which they can satisfy and reassure the Executive of the future viability of the school.

1. Background 2. Pupil numbers 3. Education 4. Finance 5. Leadership 6. Impact of closure 7. Community 8. Thinking ahead

5! BACKGROUND

There has been a school in the village of Clapham North Yorkshire, on its current site, since 1864. Originally the land and the building were bequeathed as a school by the Farrer Family with the purpose of providing an education for the children of the village and surrounding area. A number of children come from outside the catchment area because of the attraction of Clapham as a small school and because of its religious denomination.

Clapham has always been a thriving village school, albeit small, which was endorsed in 2011 by an Ofsted judgement of outstanding. In more recent times the school has experienced a number of challenges precipitated by the breakdown of a confederation with Austwick and Horton in Ribblesdale Schools and some historic problems with accounting methods due to the appointment of an external Bursar (the school subsequently returning to the LA Bursary Service). A period of ineffective leadership led to falling numbers on roll.

In response to this, the GB undertook re-organisation in overall staffing of the school, but the uncertainty of the school’s future has taken its toll on morale.

However, with the appointment of an Acting Head in September 2018, the current GB, with help from North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) advisers and staff have focused on strategies and actions to establish a more stable financial position and improved educational provision. The pupil roll has increased in the School Year 2018-19 and the school continues to receive requests and expressions of interest for pupil admissions in the current and next academic year. Parental support for the school is solid and there have been no children leaving during this period. While significant steps are in place to improve the educational provision at the school, the search for an Executive Headteacher has been unsuccessful and left the GB with no alternative other than to request the LA to consult on closure. This is regrettable at a time when the reputation of the school is growing and there is considerable forward momentum.

The move to consultation was perceived as a positive step for the School by the GB as it was perceived as a way of drawing on the experience and expertise within the local community with a view to exploring innovative ways of securing the future of the school.

6! PUPIL NUMBERS

The Governing Body believe that the figures for new housing and, by extension, the forecast pupil numbers within the catchment area of Clapham CofE Primary School have been underestimated in the documentation provided for the consultation process. Revised forecasts are shown below (see Table 1) and the figures underpin the recovery plan and should be taken into consideration by The Executive within their deliberations.

Background

Following the Public Consultation on Thursday 7th March, 2019, it became clear that some of the statistics, facts and figures contained within the initial report provided by Officers of the LA for consideration by The Executive in respect of the predicted numbers of children within the catchment area were incorrect. A detailed review of the numbers by members of; the Parish Council and CAG and the Ingleborough Estate, more up-to-date and verified figures have become available.

The catchment area for our School is somewhat unique in its make-up. Split, as it is, between Craven District Council and Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNP) planning authorities and with a significant proportion of housing owned (and rented out) by the Ingleborough Estate, the demographics are less clear than might be the case in other school catchment areas.

In-depth research, prompted and facilitated by the Consultation Process indicates that predictions provided by NYCC in respect of housing and, by extension, pupil number forecasts for Clapham Primary School may be quite significantly understated1.

TABLE 1: FORECAST OF PUPIL NUMBERS ON ROLL

YEAR 2018/19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 NYCC 28 26 23 24 24 CAG (based on currently available planning 28 30 31 36 38 information and Ingleborough Estate estimates) GB Financial Forcasting 26 28 30 31 36

Planning permissions already granted, alongside those in the pipeline are attached (Appendix 1). New dwellings are numbered at 16 and extant planning permissions 31. There are a further 15 as yet unapproved applications. A considerable number of these are “family” houses with three or four

1 The CAG has also reviewed the forecast for pupil numbers and their projection shows a ‘middle case’ projection of 33 pupils. This forecast is lower than that adopted by the GB as the CAG has assumed that percentage share of live births will remain at an average of the past three years, whereas the GB has assumed that it will revert to the average level between 2016 and 2017. Additionally, the GB has assumed that the yield from Ingleborough Estate properties will be 1 in 2, rather than the 1 in 4 used by the CAG (based on evidence from recent lettings and lettings currently in the pipeline). 7! bedrooms. The GB acknowledges that this information is likely duplicated elsewhere, possibly by the CAG, the Parish Council and the Estate, but it has been carefully checked and provides a true record. The number of new houses is significantly greater than those given as a background to the original papers presented to initiate the Consultation Process.

The Ingleborough Estate

The Ingleborough Estate has a policy of letting cottages at below-market rents, only on the basis of full-time occupation. The rationale for this is to help to provide both local people and new full-time residents with affordable rented accommodation and to ensure that Clapham does not become a ‘dormitory’ village. For all appropriate properties, priority is being given to families with young children in line with the Estate’s current ethos of maintaining a balanced and vibrant community that will be viable and sustainable into the future.

It is reported that the Estate cottages are undergoing a progressive programme of refurbishment and are in demand. The Estate has, in the last year, rented 2 cottages to young families (children from both now attend the school) re-housed one family with children already at the school and have another family moving in on 26th May (children will be registered at the School). Further Estate family housing is likely to become available over the next four years as the refurbishment programme progresses.

The Village School forms an important part of the Estate ‘package’ for encouraging young families into the area.

B4RN High Speed Internet

The arrival of B4RN high speed internet in the village has revolutionized the possibilities for working from home. This will continue to attract young people and new/aspiring businesses to the Parish of Clapham-cum Newby with Keasden. This is likely to positively affect future pupil numbers. Closure of the school would, however, impact on the local area’s ability to attract young residents with growing families.

New Pupils from Outside Catchment Area

Some children already come in from outside our catchment area and there continues to be interest from families who are looking for educational provision within a smaller school or within a school with a religious denomination. While potential outside-catchment pupils have not been included in future pupil forecasts, they are worthy of consideration in the overall recovery of the school.

SUMMARY: The figures for housing and pupil forecast are considerably higher than previously indicated and suggest that future school rolls will rise rather than fall. Other initiatives to continue to raise educational standards, improve marketing and provide nursery and wraparound care should allow the school to become viable, sustainable and valuable for the Local Authority, the Diocese and the community.

8! EDUCATION: CURRICULUM, TEACHING AND LEARNING VALUE SMALL BUT THINK BIG - ROBUST LEARNING IN A RURAL SETTING

The GB has considered closely, and understands, the concerns around the provision of education in a small rural school. They also recognise the benefits that ‘small’ can provide, both for the children’s current education and for their future. They believe they can work intelligently, creatively and enthusiastically to ensure that the education received by the children at Clapham Primary School is rigorous and robust with a breadth and depth of curriculum to allow them to improve their learning, attainment and aspirations through raising standards and broadening horizons.

Background The last Ofsted inspection was in 2011 at which the school was designated outstanding. The GB acknowledge that if the school was to be inspected at this current point in time, the same judgement would be an unlikely outcome. This is, in no small part, due to a period of poor leadership and loss of morale (and consequently loss of pupils) prior to the arrival of Mrs. Marshall as Acting Head in September 2018.

Current Position Over the course of this academic year, Mrs. Marshall, staff and advisors from NYCC have identified key areas of weakness and have implemented a School Improvement Plan (October 2018), which has already resulted in positive changes including:- • systems and processes • the introduction of a new topic-themed approach to the curriculum • tailor-made maths programmes for individual pupils • a new behaviour initiative • a variety of measures to improve breadth and depth of curriculum and opportunities for educational enrichment.

The most recent governor monitoring visit (March 2019) provided the opportunity to see many aspects of this effectively in action. In spite of the uncertain future of the school, the teachers have remained committed to their work and diligent in listening to, and following, advice and guidelines and are still committed to a future for the school. The GB acknowledge that there is still work to be done and the provision of consistently high standards in teaching, learning and attainment will continue to be the primary focus for the GB, staff team, parents and children.

Looking Forward As the school moves forward with renewed energy and enthusiasm, gains will continue to be made in motivation, engagement and the aspirations of both staff and children, augmented by support from parents and the wider community. While being a small school does present some challenges, it also presents opportunities - opportunities to tailor the curriculum to individual needs, to work across year groups (thus allowing some pupils to forge ahead whilst enabling others to consolidate their skills); to intervene on a one-to-one basis as well as working collectively as a manageable and cohesive group; to continue exceptional provision for our Special Educational Needs pupils and opportunities to monitor social and emotional well-being. With the School's recovering reputation and the predicted rise in student numbers the opportunities for both peer group and inter-group interaction will improve. Furthermore, building closer relationships with neighbouring schools and 9! schools from further away will continue to broaden and enrich the children’s educational experiences.

Strategy In continuing to work on improving the school, the GB feel it is important that the vision of the school continues to be directed outwards as well as inwards. They propose the following in order to help meet a diverse and robust set of teaching and learning objectives.

1. Continue working with the Fischer Family Trust programme to help and inform the analysis and evaluation of school performance data 2. Continue to work with the Castle Alliance to develop outstanding teaching and learning across the school. 3. Continue to make use of the Hamilton Trust resources to provide an engaging and adaptable curriculum better suited to the needs of our pupils (this is already proving popular with increased motivation, enthusiasm and improved learning behaviour - as reported by KM, teachers and GB). 4. To continue to focus on rigorous and systematic teaching of core skills and early implementation of intervention strategies where required. 5. To allocate funds raised by Friends of Clapham School to the purchase of equipment and resources to reinforce both curricular and extra-curricular activities. 6. To build closer links with the local community and compile a list of those who can offer specific expertise in certain areas. Volunteers will be welcome, particularly in listening to children read, providing masterclasses in writing, engaging in creative projects and inspiring further interest in topic-themed approaches. 7. To make the most of our local environment and to continue to build on existing links with local organisations such as Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Millennium Trust, Cave Rescue Organisation, The Village Shop, Growing with Grace, Ingleborough Hall outdoor activity centre and Ingleborough Trail and Cave. 8. To build closer working relationships with small neighbouring schools who have already indicated their enthusiasm to co-operate in joint ventures and resources and to facilitate larger group participation in educational events, social and cultural development, sports, music and other aspects of the wider curriculum. 9. To foster links with larger schools, particularly city schools (who regularly visit the village via Ingleborough Hall) to encourage a more diverse cultural experience across rural/town/city environments. This could be done face to face or through the use of technology (small schools allowing for maximum hands-on technology experience) 10.To encourage and support teachers and pupils to ensure that morale and aspirations remain high 11. To ensure key teaching and learning initiatives are represented clearly and accurately on the school website

Overall the School’s ethos is to encourage the children to value small but think big! The school has a history of producing confident and resilient pupils, many of whom choose to stay in the rural community and contribute to rural life and economy — and many who go further afield.

The GB wish to build on the momentum and renewed enthusiasm now in evidence in the school to ensure Clapham Primary School can, once again, provide an outstanding educational experience for all its children.

10! FINANCIAL RECOVERY PLAN

Context Engaging with the public consultation process has provided the GB with greater opportunities to explore routes to establishing a realistic strategy to reposition the school as a viable and sustainable entity going forward. Over the past 12 months the GB’s focus has been on the acquisition an Executive Headteacher, which has proved unsuccessful. The feedback from a number of the Headteachers contacted about this role was themed around 2 issues: • The current financial situation of the School and the future projections • The issues relating to the standards of educational provision. Educational Provision has been discussed in detail (Section 3) and the GB is confident that strategies are in place to build on current momentum. However, the importance of full-time (on site) leadership, in the short-term, is recognised as an integral part of the overall recovery plan and is reflected in the two-phase model presented below; the first two years with a full-time Headteacher to build and enhance all aspects of the school’s performance and the second phase moving to an Executive Headteacher and subsequent Federation to build on phase 1 by increasing resilience to outside forces, opportunities for cross-site teaching and teacher exchange and training. Two-Phase Recovery Plan (Appendix 2) Phase 1 (2019-20 and 2020-21) based on a 1.5 class structure with a School establishment consisting of; a full-time Headteacher (initially on a 2 year fixed term contract), 1.5 qualified teachers and 2 WTE Teaching Assistants. Phase 2 (2021-22 and 2022-23) at the conclusion of phase 1 the model will move on to a 2 class structure with an establishment of; 0.5 Executive Headteacher, 2 WTE Teachers and 2 WTE Teaching Assistants. As outlined in Section 2, there is some discrepancy between NYCC’s figures on new housing and predictions relating to future pupil numbers with those generated by the GB forecast (Appendix I). The revenue financial forecast underpinning the recovery plan is based on best current information2. In producing a robust forecast, the GB have assumed the following: a) Pupil admissions: With regard to 2019/20 entry, the GB acknowledge that the LA normally works on actual rather than potential admissions figures but in respect of our School and its uncertain future, this possibility has been compromised. There continues to be expressions of interest and enquiries for registration for school entry for 2019/20, but the GB finds it unacceptable to offer places and parents are, understandably, reluctant to commit. Therefore, on the expectation that these potential pupils are registered once the threat of closure is lifted, projected pupil numbers have been used for the coming year (and therefore income for financial year 2020/21).

2 The figures have been calculated using as close a model as possible to the NYCC’s forecasting procedure. 11! b) Budget Recovery Timescale: As part of its support for the GB, the CAG have established the Clapham Educational Fund (CEF) and through this fund they are committed to supporting the school financially during the period of the recovery plan. Further details on the CEF can be found in the CAG submission. Clearly there are significant amounts of money involved and there is a need for all parties concerned to be secure in the belief that these funds are available. It is essential that agreement is quickly reached between the CEF, the GB, and NYCC such that all parties are assured that the commitments made on all sides are subsequently honoured. The GB acknowledges that NYCC normally expects a recovery plan to take effect by the end of a 3 year period but in exceptional circumstances this can be extended to 5 years. The GB has, therefore, worked on a timescale of four years. The Revenue Financial Forecast presented in Appendix 2 demonstrates recovery to an in-year surplus in financial year 2022/23, supported by the CEF. Without this support the summary position for the school is outlined below in Tables 2.

Table 2: Summary Position (before income from CEF)

2018/19 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 Budget Expected Out Turn In year position -35,468 -38,359 -15,662 -11,454 -8,379 6,495 Balance brought 8,693 8,693 -29,846 -45,508 -56,961 -63,340 forward

Balance carried -26,775 -29,846 -45,508 -56,961 -65,340 -58,845 forward

12! It is the intention of the CET is to raise the income of the school such that an in-year surplus of £3000 is secured each year. This will mean that the cumulative deficit (at March 2019) will be recovered over a (maximum) ten year period. The summary position, above, can therefore be restated as highlighted in Table 3.

Table 3: Revised Summary Position with income from CEF

2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 In year position -15,662 -11,454 -8,379 6,495 CEF support 18,662 14,454 11,379 0 Balance brought forward -29,846 -26,846 -23,846 -20,846 Balance carried forward -26,846 -23,846 -20,846 -14,351

In the event that the school does not achieve its surplus in 2022/23, the CEF will continue to secure an in-year surplus of £3000. This “guarantee” transfers the risk of financial shortfall away from the GB.

The GB acknowledge the passion and support of the CAG, local community and beyond in allowing them to present this recovery budget. Such support can only serve to strengthen the commitment of all concerned in ensuring a successful future for the school; a school that is financially viable, educationally robust with a strong community focus and a wide breadth of interest.

13! LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND THE FUTURE DIRECTION

Over the last 2 years, there has been a, necessary, focus on matters pertaining to finance and leadership. In considering the future of the school, the GB recognise that an excellent Headteacher will need to be recruited alongside a number of changes in aspects of Governance to ensure that the School can move forward with renewed vigour, which will set the scene for; improvements in education, pupil numbers and embracing the offers of engagement from the wider community. The GB propose the following measures be implemented as soon as possible:-

• A recruitment process for a new Headteacher and other teaching staff (as required)

• A regular and robust programme of Governor training and monitoring that displays: • Adherence to a set programme of regular Governor training and sharing of information with the GB to allow Governors to be as up-to-date and knowledgeable as possible in all that they do. • A set programme of regular Governor monitoring visits with consideration being given to individual Governors taking responsibility for specific core areas of the curriculum. • To sign up to “The Key” for School Governors to access the most recent discussion and information pertaining to school governance.

• To co-opt Associate members or further Governors (following due process) to the GB to work with the Headteacher and GB to address the need for specific areas of expertise and intervention in the following areas: • Marketing and communication. Updating website and social media platforms. • Fund-raising and the transparent and targeted management of funds raised for the benefit of the children and the school. • New initiatives e.g. ‘stay and play’ and ‘wrap-around care’. • Other areas as deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis

• To improve the transparency and communication between the governing body, the school community and the wider community: • To ensure that all non-confidential minutes of meetings of the GB and financial information is available on the school website. • To ensure that school initiatives and all relevant information regarding the curriculum, core skills and news of interest to the parents, the wider community and other interested parties is available and easily accessible on the website.

The GB recognise the, not inconsiderable, challenges that lie ahead and feel they have a robust plan to allow them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities such that a successful future for the school can be assured.

14! POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CLOSURE

Having consulted widely and investigated the potential impacts of closure, the GB is convinced that, should the School close, there would be a considerable negative impact on educational standards and the local community at neighbouring schools (all of which have been very supportive during the process of public consultation). This supports our proposal to continue to maintain Clapham School and allow it to develop through alliances with other local schools.

The GB acknowledge that the LA have the responsibility of placing children within their preferred School of choice should Clapham School close. They also acknowledge that they have a responsibility to manage parental expectations regarding outcomes related to School closure.

Indications suggest the preferred first choice of parents is Austwick School, and Settle appears to be a favourable second choice. Both are Church Schools, conveying the impression of the importance of religious denomination in school choice.

Austwick School has a published capacity of 60 pupils, with 55 on roll (19.10.18 GOV UK). The briefing document on Proposal to close Clapham CofE Primary School also stated a capacity of just five pupil places at Austwick School. If this is correct then there is clearly insufficient space for all the children from Clapham School who wish to attend. The GB have already been made aware that some of the parents, whose children currently attend Austwick School, are concerned about the impact on Austwick school should a large proportion of Clapham School children register. In addition the GB have been informed by a member of the CAG, during a scoping exercise, that Austwick School has limited space within the School premises to accommodate a large i.e. 50% increase in pupil numbers. It has been mooted that the new addition of a music room could be utilised for extra teaching space, which would, apart from anything else, clearly compromise the quality and provision of music within that room.

In the Statutory Guidance: “Opening and Closing maintained Schools, Rural schools and the presumption against closure”, decision makers are advised to ‘… consider the likely effect of standards at neighbouring schools’. Given the large numbers of pupils who would choose to move to Austwick from Clapham, it is the belief of the GB that this increase in pupil numbers would put additional strain on the resources at Austwick and that the educational standards at that School would be adversely effected by the closure of Clapham.

Further advice within the guidance refers to ‘any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the closure of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase’. The Headteacher at Austwick School has verbally confirmed to the Chair of Governors that local residents are already concerned with the volume of traffic in Austwick during school drop off and collection times. This will be exacerbated by car journeys for children attending the school for out of hours provision i.e. breakfast and after school clubs when school transport will not be available.

Clapham School is already the school of choice for some children who reside in Bentham — the religious denomination and small size of Clapham being important considerations. Bentham school is not a popular choice with Clapham parents and members of the GB have no knowledge of any parents expressing an intention to send their children there.

15! Settle School would be adversely effected by an increase in traffic as school transport would not be provided as Clapham cum Newby is outside Settle School’s catchment area.

Ingleton School is already over-subscribed. It has a published capacity of 180 pupils, with 194 on roll (19.1.18 GOV UK). Parents whose children attend this school have expressed verbal concerns to a member of the GB regarding any proposed increase to pupil numbers as they feel their children’s education would be further compromised by any additional intake of pupils.

The GB feel that the short and longer-term impact of the closure of the School risks over- stretching neighbouring schools and putting pressure on educational standards and local community. Local schools have been supportive in their offers to accommodate Clapham pupils, but acknowledge the strain this is likely to put on their resources. The GB feels weight should be given to these arguments in consideration of halting the process of public consultation over closure. We hope to build on the strong relationships currently being developed with these schools.

16! PARENTAL VIEWS

The GB have been asked to represent the views of parents within this document. There is a possibility that the views expressed here may be evidenced in individual submissions.

The parents are committed to Clapham Primary School and their dignity and strength of commitment has been particularly evident during this period of uncertainty over the future of the school. This year has seen the formation of a strong and motivated parent support group (‘Friends of Clapham School’) which has engaged in fundraising and worked with the community, the GB and staff to support the school and the children.

The parents feel their children are receiving an excellent education and value the small class sizes, the interaction between different age groups (which they feel enhances the development of social skills) and the personal and friendly school environment.

At Clapham Primary School, there are two children on roll who have been identified with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and two more currently under consideration. Parents of these children feel that their children are making encouraging progress in all aspects of their education and that they benefit from the small class sizes with greater opportunities to meet goals and aspirations. There are significant worries about the quality of education at the alternative school choices in the area, particularly given the concerns over available capacity and longer car journeys to neighbouring schools.

The parents also recognise the positive effect of the installation of B4RN and the way in which hyper-fast broadband in the Clapham area will open up new opportunities for flexible working, new innovative businesses and to attract more younger families to live and work in the area. They feel it is important to protect the School to support a thriving and growing rural community.

With more houses being built, there is concern that further pressure will be placed on schooling in the area and with fewer schools there will be less choice. They highlight the advantages of a wider choice of schools to benefit the needs of children who may not be suited to a larger school environment.

Overall the parent group feels the school has greatly improved in the last year and there is a renewed energy amongst parents to support the school in terms of helping the leadership team and teaching staff to ensure high educational standards and adding value (both time and money) through volunteering and fundraising.

The parents are eager to work with new leadership at the school and are committed to supporting all aspects of the education of their children.

17! COMMUNITY VIABILITY

The GB believe that the proven skills, energy and commitment of the Clapham community is a significant supporting factor in our claim for the long-term viability of the school.

In general terms this refers to the culture within Clapham of a strong community volunteering ethos, as witnessed by the success of the Clapham Village Store, Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN), the Cave Rescue Organisation and other local voluntary and charitable agencies.

With specific relevance to the GB’ response to the Consultation, the recent formation of the Clapham Educational Fund is further evidence of the local community’s proven ability to succeed in social enterprise. As the Fund has been developed in full consultation with the GB as a community collaborative venture, the GB would urge this to be considered an important indicator of the viability of our bid to keep the school open.

Clapham’s community organisations are strong, well-established and award-winning. Clapham Community Shop Ltd are winners of a number of regional community enterprise awards. In 2014 a high proportion of the start-up costs were covered by a community share offer which raised more than £33,000 in five weeks. There are currently around 165 members of this community-owned business which involves 40 volunteers working throughout each week. B4RN is a non-profit community benefit society, run by a dedicated local team with the support of landowners and volunteers offering high-speed internet broadband to every property in their coverage areas, including the Clapham school catchment area.

The Cave Rescue Organisation is based in Clapham: a long-term charity run by volunteers, the CRO provides the cave and mountain rescue service covering a wide area of the region. The newly- formed Clapham Community Action Group and Community Educational Fund are closely related to these and other local groups including the Clapham Development Association.

The CAG will present to the Consultation the financial and practical support package being offered by the Clapham Educational Fund. Their contribution to the school going forward is also detailed in the Educational Plan. The GB have full confidence in community support to deliver as intended: in financial terms securing the Financial Recovery Plan and in practical terms offering volunteers and outside expertise alongside supporting initiatives such as ‘Stay and Play’ and ‘wrap-around’ care at Clapham Primary School.

The GB see the potential in this collaborative approach for developing the school as a community ‘hub’, as has happened in other rural schools, i.e. as a centre for education, cultural events and social provision. Whilst such a development is outside the remit of the Consultation for Closure mention is made of it here to underline the absolute faith the GB have in the Clapham community to deliver the support package pledged, and to continue to develop the school as a key centre of activity serving the people of Clapham and the area.

18! THINKING AHEAD

The GB have worked closely with parents and the local community in developing plans for a ‘stay and play’ group, nursery provision and wrap-around care. The GB affirm the viability of these proposals and see them as an important element in the plans for the school going forward. The GB believe the EYFS is integral to the future success of the school, setting standards for learning and development and easing the transition into Year 1.

Background

Our neighbouring Schools of Bentham, Ingleton, Austwick, and Settle all provide Nursery/ Reception education for children from three years. These schools recognise that in so doing they are providing parents/guardians with the opportunity for them to familiarise themselves and their children with their school. Parents/guardians can meet the staff, see the schools facilities and observe other children in the learning environments provided. Tatham Fells (within Lune Valley cluster of 11 schools) also offers a nursery provision as well as a stay and play session for Parents/ Guardians with babies and toddlers which is held once per month. The children who attend these schools from nursery are more likely to formally register for entry into Primary year’s education within that school.

Clapham School ‘Stay and Play’ Group Proposal

Clapham School does have an Early Years unit with an experienced early years’ practitioner. There are currently two children in Reception and one registered for nursery (beginning after Easter).

Recent expressions of interest via a scoping exercise suggest considerable local interest. The village does provide a playgroup which is held weekly within the Bethel Chapel on a Friday morning. A member of the Community Action Group has been looking into the possibility of starting a Stay and Play Group to be held within the School on a Monday afternoon. Parents attending the Bethel playgroup together with other parents/guardians from within the immediate and surrounding locality have shown an interest in this proposal. Six definite expressions of interest from parents have been received with a further four ‘possible’ expressions of interest from parents who are currently taking their children elsewhere.

The establishment of this group would be a positive step forward in encouraging children into the school from an early age, providing them with a useful opportunity to familiarise themselves within our School’s environment. The implementation of this group would demonstrate the interest there is NOW, within our community, to use Clapham School and promote the strong possibility that these children would also formally start their Primary education there, thus boosting future pupil numbers.

A scoping exercise predicts the following numbers:-

• 2019-2020 2 children start reception, one definite interest in Nursery provision

• 2020-2021 3 children for a Nursery Class and 3 children start Reception

• 2021-2022 5 children for a Nursery Class (so far) 3 children start Reception

• 2022-2023 Nursery, unable to state, and 5 children start Reception 19! The GB is committed to the establishment of a ‘stay and play’ group held within Clapham School. We see this as a short-term goal within a focused educational plan going forward. This could be achieved with immediate effect pending confirmation from the Headteacher.

A Nursery class is being re-established and facilities and teaching staff are currently in place to provide this. Medium to long term plans would be to review the viability or need for breakfast and/ or after school clubs within a wraparound care model. These proposals are fully supported by the Governing body and reflect the views of the parents/Guardians whose children currently attend the school, as expressed to in recent Parent/Governor meetings. The views of the parents should be an integral part of future strategy in developing a School fit for purpose that meets the needs and expectations of our local community.

20! SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

The period of public consultation has allowed the GB to review, and give further consideration to, all aspects of the future of Clapham CofE (VC) Primary school. They believe they have reached a position, as set out in this submission, where they feel confident that the School can continue to develop an education fit for purpose, strong in breadth and depth, underpinned by a financial plan, which provides reassurance that recovery is not only possible, but likely, and backed by the support of the community.

The Governors request that The Executive halt the public consultation, withdraw the threat of closure and continue to work with the school over its recovery period. Of course this would be the start of a journey rather than the end of a story and to make this happen the GB will have to undertake a course of actions that include:

• The appointment of a Headteacher to lead the School through the first phase of the recovery plan, providing strong leadership in all aspects of education and the life of the school.

• Forge links with:-

o Other schools: to widen the curriculum and work towards the appointment of an Executive Headteacher and the formation of a Federation

o The community: to become more inclusive and enhance the quality and breadth of the curriculum

• The extension of the relationship with CAG to form a consultation group that the Governors can co-opt onto the Board to advise on topics such as finance, marketing and extending the services offered by the School and its buildings.

21! APPENDIX

22! APPENDIX I: Revised Pupil Forecast

23! Appendix II: Revenue Financial Forecast

Revenue Financial Forecast based on 2018/19 expected out turn as 2018/19 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 at 28/2/19 using Governors' projected pupil numbers with full Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year Financial Year time head + 1.5 FTE teaching staff for first two years, followed by Expected Out Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue 0.5 x executive head + 2 FTE teaching staff for second two years Original Budget Turn as at Financial Financial Financial Financial and onwards 28/02/2019 Forecast Forecast Forecast Forecast Income Funds Delegated by the LEA 213,718 213,851 218,379 224,687 227,662 242,536 SEN Funding 6,390 6,390 6,390 6,390 6,390 6,390 Depravation Funding 26 26 26 26 26 26 Pupil Premium 1,320 1,320 1,320 1,320 1,320 1,320 Other Income 33,013 35,186 34,968 34,968 34,968 34,968 Community Focused Extended School Income 156 435 - - - - 254,623 257,208 261,083 267,391 270,366 285,240 Expenditure 270,366 Teaching Staff 117,574 118,623 121,100 123,400 122,800 122,800 Supply Teachers 6,500 8,739 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 Techs/Teaching Staff Support 37,632 37,633 40,400 40,300 40,600 40,600 Admin and Clerical Staff 23,115 23,114 17,000 17,000 17,400 17,400 Other Employees Costs/Expense 19,164 18,852 11,100 11,000 10,800 10,800 Premises Costs 27,928 27,345 27,345 27,345 27,345 27,345 Learning Resources 26,852 28,587 25,900 25,900 25,900 25,900 Supplies and Services 30,891 32,419 31,900 31,900 31,900 31,900 Community Focused Extended School Costs 435 435 - - - - 290,091 295,747 276,745 278,845 278,745 278,745 Summary Position In Year Position - 35,468 - 38,539 - 15,662 - 11,454 - 8,379 6,495 Balance Brought Forward 8,693 8,693 - 29,846 - 26,846 - 23,846 - 20,846 External funding 18,662 14,454 11,379 - Balance Carried Forward - 26,775 - 29,846 - 26,846 - 23,846 - 20,846 - 14,351

PUPIL NUMBER ASSUMPTIONS 2017 Census 2018 Census 2019 Census 2020 Census 2021Census 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 Funding Funding Funding Funding Funding

Pupil numbers for financial forecasting 26 28 30 31 36

24! Appendix 5

• 4.

4*-: Clapham Primary School Action Group

Submission to the North Yorkshire County Council and Diocese of Leeds proposal to close Clapham Church of England Voluntary CnntrnIIrI Primnrv Srhnnl frnm 11 Aiiuiuct 7(110

- .-.-

4Apr112019

A A. ...‘ -I. . — \ _J1. 4 .7 H - 4 - F ‘I -• C’,

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7 . I ,- ::‘ 14r’ . --, ,- . .--.,- A

Contents

1. Executive summary 3

2. Pupil numbers 5

3. Breadth of Curriculum 12

4. Financial forecast 15

5. Community commitment 16

6. Federation and an ExecutIve;Ffeqtathj s,r 21 a: — •“ 7. Consequences of closure 24

I , ,—fl 8. Proposed catchment 26

9. Appendices 27

Appendix 1. Schedule of new housing developments 28

Appendix 2. Statement from the Ingleborough Estate 29

Appendix 3. Local schools wraparound care 30

Appendix 4. Clapham Education Network 31

Appendix 5. Clapham Village Store 32

Appendix 6. Pupil number projections 33

r 1. Executive summary

1.1. Clapham PrimarySchoolisfundamentally a good and viableschool that should not close.

1.2. The ClaphamPrimarySchoolActionGroup (“the action group”) states the case for keeping the school open as follows.

1.3. The NVCCand Dioceseconsultation document underestimates future pupil numbers. Amore realisticforecast for pupilnumbers based on accurate figuresfor new housingand affordable,

rented housing shows a recovery to 33 pupils, eight more than the consultation document.

Thisfundamentally changes the financial basison whichthe consultation plan isformed.

1.4. As the school movesforward with renewed energy on delivering the necessary breadth of

curriculum,gains willcontinue to be made in motivation, engagement and the aspirations of

both staff and children, augmented by support from parents and the wider community.

1.5. The Revenue FinancialForecast prepared bythe GoverningBodyshows the school returning

to an in-yearsurplus by 2022-23.

1.6. The clapham community has responded vigorously since learningof the threat of school

closure and has set up the Clapham Education Trust which will make donations so that the

cumulative deficit in March 2019 does not increase and will be gradually recovered if the school stays open.

1.7. The action group is convinced that a recovering school with growing numbers, good

educational provision andstable finance underpinnedby the Clapham EducationTrust will

present an attractive proposition and a federation should be a perfectly feasible medium

term objective for the GoverningBody,LocalAuthorityand the Diocese.

1.8, The impact of school closure on the community is awell-rehearsed argument; in the case of Clapham-cum-Newby,the school closure directly threatens an active and successful strategy to rejuvenate the Parish.

‘F • 1.9. The public consultation proposes that there be a joint catchment area for Bentham and Austwickschools that covers Clapham-cum-Newbyparish; this does nat take into account

the overall qualityof alternative places inthe localarea, the popularityof other localschools,

any increase inthe use of motor vehiclesand the balance of denominational provisioninthe area.

1.10. The action group is formed from stakeholders across the Clapham community. The action group has been given less than four weeks to help the school GoverningBodyto prepare an

Education RecoveryPlanthat willreturn Claphamto beinga confident, growingschool. 2. PupI numbers

2.1. The publicconsultation document’ jointly pqblished by North YorkshireCounty Counciland

the Dioceseof Leeds,(“publicconsultation”) underestimates future pupil numbers. Amore realisticforecast for pupilnumbers based on accurate figuresfor new housing andaffordable,

rented housing shows a recovery to 33 pupils, eight more than the consultation document

figure of 25. Thisfundamentally changes the financial basis on whichthe consultation plan is formed.

2.2. The forecast of 33 pupils issubstantiated by the number of children under school age in the

catchment area (17 in total), the Expressionsof Interest received (loin total, some of whom are from outside the catchment area) and the pupils known to have approached the school for September 2019.

2.3. Theaction group has analysed the forecastfor pupilnumbers that appears inthe consultation

document and updated the assumptions used based on a full understanding of housing

planning permissions and knowledge of the business plan being followed by the largest

provider of tenanted property in the parish, the IngleboroughEstate.

2.4. The action group has also analysed the causes of the dip in the proportion of Cravenchildren

entering Clapham reception class (“% share”)’ that has reduced reception intake between

2017 and 2018 and the reduction in year-on-year retention rates (“% retention”) that have

lowered school numbers in the same period. A range of pupil projections have been modelled:

— Worst-case whichcombines the accurate, new housing data but assumes that the decline in

%share continues;

— Best case which combines the accurate, new housing data but assumes that the % share

returns to the levelbefore 2017; -.

— Middle case to be used for financial modellin’g,which combines the accurate, new housing

data but assumes that the %share continues at an average of the past three years.

‘Proposal tocloseclaphamchurchofEnglandvoluntary Controlled Pdmary School from 31 August 2019,14 February 2019 2 FullLAterminologyfor%shareis:% share in actuallivebirths

4sc 2.5. The Governing Body has reviewed its own forecast of pupil numbers and this shows 43 in

comparison to the action group projection of 33. The additional pupils flow from a higher

expectation for %share, recovering most of the ground to levelsseen in 2016 and a higher

yield of pupilsfrom Ingleborough Estateproperties. An explanation of the GoverningBody

forecast can be found in their submission document, in particular the plans for a Stay and

Play group and a relaunch of nursery provision adds confidence to the Governing Body projections.

2.6. The figures for each scenario are shown inthe chart and table on the followingpage.and

can befound infull in Appendix6. .-N- -

— I Clapham Primary - Pupil Number Forecast 60

50 — — — — —- — —

vi 1- 40 a) -o 2 D z 30 a D 0 20

10

0 16/17 17/18j8/19j19/20 1 20/21 i 21/ 24/25 25/26 26/27 ii: NYCC Forecast 24 24 25 25 —-CAG Worst-case L2 1-28 27 24 27 26 26 26 CAG Middle-case 28 30 32 33 33 ii— — 4 eS. -CAG Best-case 38 47 50 50 r 28t • Governing Body-case 30 31 36 41 43 a 43 _f_ •1

I —C 2.7. There is a significant discrepancy in the consultation document figure for housing permissions. Thereare 14 properties shown and no unapproved applications.

2.8. The action group has done a fullaudit of planningpermissions and has established that there

are 31. In addition, four unapproved applications have been identified. The properties are

listed inAppendix1.

2.9. Theaction group has also been providedwith data from the IngleboroughEstate whichshows

that 11 additional properties willbecome availablefor tenanted occupancy or transferred to owner-occupation. The Trustees of the Estate have not provided the action group with

individual property details as they are held to be commercially sensitive; however, a

statement from the trustees can be found in Appendix2.

2.10. Whilst details are confidential, the Ingleborough Estate has started its programme of

property renovation and reletting and in the past 12 months 3 new tenancies have been

granted to families with school age children which represents 75% of all new tenancies in

that period. For the purpose of its modelling,the action group has used a yield of 1 in 4 for

the worst-case and central-case scenario but has liftedthis to 1 in3 for the best-case forecast.

2.11. The assumed yield of one school registration per three Ingleborough Estate properties is

consistent with the past 12 months and expectations for 2019-20;one family,currently inthe

process oftaking a tenancy, has approached the school andregistered their interest (despite

being warned that the school isunder consultation for closure). 2.12. The action group has looked at the trends of % share and % retention at the school:

% share of Craven Live Births in 2011-14 17/18 18/19 Year 16/17

% share 1.05% 0.65% 044%

Year-on-yearRetention % - wherebelow100%representsa lossof pupils Year 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 Yl 140% 60% 100% 100% 100% Y2 111% 86% 67% 100% 80% Y3 150% 110% 100% 150% 200% Y4 133% 133% SZ% 83% 100% vs 100% 150% 100% 67% 120% Y6 100% 100% 100% 75% 100% Total 122% 107% 91% 96% 117%

2.13.The clear pattern is one of both falling % share and falling % retention in the period 2016-17;

the action group has been made aware that these dips were caused by a number of issues.

2.14.The Governing Body will have already reviewed these issues at length with the LAadvisors

and its not for the action group to comment on matters that concern individual families and members of staff However, members of the action group with connections to the school are aware of pupils that were withdrawn from the school and families who chose not to place

their children into the school as a direct consequence. The action group have been informed

by the Governing Body that the issues have been addressed by the current leadership. This has had an immediate impact on retention.

2.15. The trend in % share is taking longer to respond to the 2016-17 issues being addressed, given that prospective families would have been looking at schools and making choices for 2018-

19 before the new leadership had been put in place. Unfortunately, any recovery in % share

for 2019 may havebeen affected by the threat of closure being made public the week before admission applications were due.3

2.16. The combination of the dip in both % share and % retention would imply approximately six

fewer pupils in the school at the end of 2017-18 and this number accords with the opinion of

Austwick Schoolparents’ newsletter on liJanuary 112019 the Governing Body as to the number removed and the families who chose not to place their

children in the school.

2.17. One other explanation for the decline in % share is that Clapham school has become

‘uncompetitive’ in the provision of what is called ‘wraparound’ care. The school has provided

this service in the past although the uncertainty arising from the proposed closure means it

is currently the only school in the area which does not provide full wraparound care. Asurvey

of local schools reveals that wraparound care is almost universally available, except for

Clapham, see Appendix 3.

2.18. The worst-case plan assumes that the 2018-19 % share of 0.44% persists and that the new leadership and implementation of the Governing Body’s recovery plan have no impact on the

level of applications to reception class and the intake remains at two pupils in each year.

2J9. The best-case plan assumes that the share reverts to its level before the 2016-17 issues; in

this scenario there would be an intake of five pupils each year, a level seen in three years out of the four prior to the issues affecting pupil recruitment.

2.20.The middle-case of 33 pupils by 2025-26 assumes that the % share continues at the three

year average for 2016-19; in this scenario there would be an intake of three pupils each year,

the same as the NYCCprojection.

2.21. The action group has tested the numbers for Reception intake by talking to families and have

established the actual number of children below school age in catchment and found that

there are 14; assuming a net balance of children being placed out of catchment, a pool of 14

children sits within the upper range of between three and five pupils joining in the next four

years (and is more accurate than using live births in the whole of Craven as a modelling

parameter). -

2.22. The action group has also looked at the number of children below school age attending playgroups within Clapham village and found that there are 17 which again gives some confidence to the upper range of forecasts.

2.23.The chapter of this submission that covers community support, see 5.12, explains how the

Clapham Educational Trust will help to deliver wraparound care; once this is in place it will also represent a reduced risk to the pupil numbers as both % share and retention rates

respond to the improvement in competitiveness.

2.24. Inconclusion,the forecast of 33 pupilsisderived from a ‘middle-case’and liesina range from

27 to 39 pupilsdepending on the trend of the %share offamiliesinCravenchoosingClapham as their child’sfirst school.

2.25. The forecast assumes that the Vashare trend continues at an average of the past three years; analysis of the underlyingfactors and their mitigation through the efforts of the Governing

Bodyand school leadership shows that riskto the forecast isthereby reduced. 3. Breadth of Curriculum

3.1. As the school moves forward with renewed energy on delivering the necessary breadth of

curriculum, gains will continue to be made in motivation, engagement and the aspirations of

both staff and children, augmented by support from parents and the wider community.4

3.2. The action group agrees with all parties to the consultation that the paramount concern is

the quality of education available to children in Clapham-cum-Newby.

31 The public consultation states clearly that concerns over the breadth of curriculum are

predicated on pupil numbers continuing to fall. This is a questionable premise given that numbers had increased during the current academic year and, as the public consultation and

action group forecasts all show, pupil numbers will recover from a low point in 2020-21.

3.4. The action group notes the Statutory guidance for proposers and decision-makers (“statutory guidelines”)5 that: “decision-makers should not make blanket assumptions that schools

should be of a certain size to be good schools”; this guidance reflects the wealth of research

that outcomes are not necessarily compromised by children attending a small, rural school.

33. Most studies focus on the impact of reducing class sizes from around 25 to below 15; the

Education Endowment Foundation, for example, concludes that “as the size of a class or

teaching group gets smaller it is suggested that the range of approaches a teacher can employ

and the amount of attention each student will receive will increase, improving outcomes for

pupils... (small) class size is more likely to be effective when accompanied by professional development for teachers focusing on teaching skills and approaches.”6

3.6. The action group’s own analysis of Key Stage Two outcomes in North Yorkshire further demonstrates that blanket assumptions should not be made based on school size (as the

public consultation unfortunately does). The chart on the next page shows there is no relationship between size and outcomes for those schools that are included in the analysis,

i.e. those between 19 and 300 pupils for whom KS2data are published.

Governing Bodysubmission to NYCCRegardingthe Consultation for Closureof ClaphamPrimarySchool Statutory guidance for proposers and decision-makers, November 2018, Department for Education, p11 6 Reducingclass size, Education Endowment Foundation, updated 29 August 2018 .4. ..- ___I

r,fl

North Yorkshire Schools 2017

= 0 0077 8.00 L . .

— 6.00 . ‘1 • •l . . . U • • 4.00 . S • •. . • . . S• • • . ij# S • •• S . 2.00 • • - . S ..:. nJ •• •• • -y • % • ... : ••S • vi : .1 • •• • i;. Ln .z:r;:za.e•:.-:.....--9 .•.•±Wfl a, 0.00 .4.i..& no • . 4, 0 S •••• • . 0- •C I: . S no • .5 . . . . C -2.00 . . 0 . •t.. Co . . S . 0J .. . S ...... • -4.OQ

. -6.00 4 . -8.00 /4 -‘ 10.00 0 • ;-.., 50 100 150 200 250 300 school Total Pupil Number

4; j L.. e7

—. I—.

.

‘I ___[:‘.‘.:

3.7. The challenge for the Governing Body, therefore, is to demonstrate that the breadth of

curriculum, and the quality of provision, will continue their recovery since 2016-17 and that

effective mitigation for the dip in numbers is in place to ensure that neitherfalters.

3.8. Full details of the Governing Body plan for delivering the necessary breadth of curriculum

can be found in their submission; however, the action group endorses their conclusions:

Overall the aim of the school is to encourage the children to value small but think big! The school has a history of producing confident and resilient students, many of whom choose to

stay in the rural community and contribute to rural life and economy — and many who go further afield.

The GBwish to build on the momentum and renewed enthusiasm now in evidence in the school to ensure Clapham Primary School can, once again, provide an outstanding educational experience for all its children.

3,

N

7,

H: ‘.• ., 4. Financial forecast

4.1, The Revenue FinancialForecast prepared by the GoverningBodyshows the school returning

to an in-year surplus by2022-23.

4.2. The clapham community has responded vigorouslysince learningof the threat of school

closure and has set up the clapham EducationTrust which will make donations so that the

cumulative deficit in March 2018 does not increase and will be gradually recovered if the school stays open (see chapter fivefor details of the EducationalTrust).

4.3, The GoverningBodyforecast also shows a cumulative deficit without community support of

£56,961 by the end of financial year 2020-21 compared to a headline-grabbing cumulative

deficit of £102,000 in the public consultation which is, as demonstrated, based on an under forecast of pupil numbers.

4.4. With community support, the cumulative deficit will be reduced to £23,846 at the end of

2020-21 and will be fully eliminated within a maximum of ten years; full details of the

GoverningBodyfinancialforecast can be found in their submission to the consultation.

4.5. The community support, delivered through the EducationalTrust willtransfer any financial

riskinherent inthe GoverningBodyrecovery plan away from the school.

N ) I 5. Community commitment

5.1. The clapham community has responded vigorously since learningof the threat of school

closure and has set up the clapham Education Trustwhich will make donations so that the

cumulative deficit in March 2019does not increase and will be gradually recovered if the school stays open.

5.2. The decision to consult over the closure of the school was rightlyfirst made knownto staff,

parents and carers. Apartfrom an announcement inthe AustwickSchoolparents’ newsletter

on 11 January, which most in clapham would not have seen unless they were looking at a potential primary school, the proposed closure was first communicated to the wider

community in the clapham and District Newsletter on 1 February 2019, two weeks before the consultation period opened.

5.3. The previous communication to the community,through the newsletter, had been in August

and this had painted a quite different picture: “currently, there are no plans to close the school, so please put aside any rumours you may have heard to the contrary”. The action group now understands that these statements were made on the expectation that the plans

agreed with the LAwould not be put aside within a few months.

5.4. Accordingly,the announcement in February came as a major shock but it was not until the

public meeting, held as part of the consultation on 7 March,that the community was able to understand the process that had been followed andto judge for itselfthe case for closure.

5.5. Acommunity action group was formed on the evening of the publicmeeting which, in turn,

has led to this submission. The action group was strongly encouraged by the unanimous comments from the vcc councillor, the LocalAuthority strategic planner and education advisers together with the representatives of the Dioceseof Leeds Boardfor Educationthat

the consultation isgenuine and that we were not witnessing afait accompli.

5.6. The reassurances that the consultation is genuine were underlined once the action group

learned that there is a presumption against closure for rural schools. 5.7. The action group has looked at several ways inwhichthe community can support the school

through its recovery and beyond and the followinghave been set up.

5.8. The Clapham EducationalFund which has the objective tosupport the education of children attending ClaphamSchool.

5.9. The Clapham SchoolClubs,under the auspices of the ClaphamEducationalFund,whichfrom

the start of the autumn term 2019 will run before and after-school clubs, a playgroup and eventually support the school’searly years provision;the aim beingto make the school more attractive to prospective parents.

5.10. TheClapham Education Network, again underthe ClaphamEducationalFund,whichwillhelp the school and GoverningBodyto access volunteer help and professional expertise inthe

community ifand when they feel it would be of benefit.

5.11. The action group willalso set up an ongoing project team to deliver the commitments made

in the course of the consultation response.

5.12. The Clapham Educational Fund (“the fund”) is the mechanism whereby local people will financiallysupport the school and have confidence the resources are being used forthe purposes intended and that there are adequate governance and financial controls to

safeguard the money. The fund is based on an existing model already in use elsewhere in North Yorkshire.

5.13. The action group has already identifiedsufficient contributions to the fund in order to offset

the projected in-year deficit forecast by the Governing Body.The trustees of the fund will

require confirmation that the school willremain open before any funds are released.

514. The existing ClaphamC.EPrimarySchool P.T.A(1081628) willbe used as the vehicle forthe

fund as its objects are sufficientlybroad to allowthem to carry out the function.

5.15. The separation between the school and the organisation would be maintained so that the

school is a beneficiary from the charity although has no legal control or entitlement to the funds.

4 5.16. The constitution is being refined with respect to trustee roles and actions in the event of school closure.

5,17. The basic function of the fund over the recovery period will be to prevent the financial

position ofthe school deteriorating further; inaddition, the fund willprovidespecificfinancial assistance to the school to deliver the necessary breadth of curriculum.

5.18. It is recognisedthat there are inherent tensions inco-fundingsystems used to support public

services; especiallywhere the service is essentially free;suggestions might be made that it is

unfair that one community has the means to help its school financiallywhilst others might not. The action group has looked at these concerns and concluded that they fundamentally

misunderstand the nature of the rural community whose culture isfounded on generations of farmingfamiliesfor whom self-help, resilience andpreservation ofvitalassets during hard

times issecond nature.

5.19. Determiningthe quantum and timing offinancial support for the school is problematic as the

financial forecast presented by the Governing Body is just that, a forecast; the actual

requirement for funds will become clear as the recovery periodprogresses and willdepend

on the expectations of NYCCas to when donations will be made during any given financial year.

5.20. Oncefunds are transferred to the recipient, in this case NYCC,the trustees of the charitywill

be reliant on the GoverningBodywhich hasa duty of care to use the funds appropriately.

5.21. It is important that agreement is quicklyreached between the Clapham Educational Trust,

the GoverningBodyand NYCCsuch that all parties are assured that the commitments made are subsequently honoured.

5.22. The Charitywill also be the vehicle that operates ‘wraparound care’ for the school — the Clapham School Clubs;this has the advantage of separating these services from the school,

so that the risk of financial losses are not borne by the Governing Body as happened previously;the charitywillalso be to access grants and business development funding.

/ 5.23. The objective of Clapham School Clubs is to provide good quality before and after school

care that will support the needs of primary school children and their parents in the catchment area of Clapham School.

5.24. Childcare is one of the biggest issues facing today’s parents. There is clear evidence that parents want wraparound care for their school age children.

5.25. Good quality wraparound childcare has a positive impact on children’s educational

outcomes; research by NatCen Social Research shows that participating in organised sports and joining after school clubs can help to improve primary school children’s academic

performance and social skills.7

5.26. For the school, there is also the direct benefit of improved competitiveness when attracting

families and this benefit comes without financial risk as the Clapham Educational Fund will be the provider.

5.27. The trustees of the fund have proposed a wraparound care offerfor 2019-20 to the Governing Body and Headteacher and discussions are underway over important considerations such as * insurance and safeguarding.

5.28. There will be a strong marketing campaign to sell the introduction of “wraparound care” in September 2019, at Clapham Primary School.

5.29. Finally, the trustees are drawing on their experience with the community run Clapham Village

Store to recruit a qualified childminder to be employed 15 hours per week, supported by a rota of accredited volunteers.

5.30. The Clapham Education Network is building a cohort of people in the community who can

support the school with time and expertise; this is very much in the early stages, but the

current list can be found in Appendix 4.

Out of school activities improve children’5educational attainment, study reveals: http://www.natcen.ac.uk/news-media/press-releases/2016/april/out-of-school-activities-imprave- children%E2%80%99s-educational-attainment,-study-reveals/ 5.31. The support from the community could be easily dismissed as good intentions made in the heat of the moment; people happy to say what they think the Local Authority wants to hear.

However, Clapham parish has a proven track record of stepping in when local services are threatened or inadequate.

5.32. When the village shop closed suddenly in 2014 the community formed a registered society for the benefit of the community, (registration number 32434R), raised over £40,000 capital,

recruited staff and over 100 volunteers, reopened the shop within the year and it continues to trade successfully.

5.33. When it was confirmed in 2014 that most houses would not be getting better broadband as

pad of the Superfast North Yorkshire initiative, the community formed a project, raised

nearly £300,000, recruited over 50 volunteers, employed contractors and dug its own

network, bringing Brnadband for the Rural North to every corner of the parish. This has been

instrumental in attracting families to the area.

5.34. When the church tower needed repair, a community group came together, formed a project to renovate the tower and raised £500,000. A LI?

6. Federation and an Executive Headteacher

6.1. The action group is convinced that a recovering school with growing numbers, good

educational provision and stable finances will present an attractive proposition and a

federation is a perfectly feasible medium-term objective for the Governing Body, Local Authority and the Diocese.

6.2. The action group understands from the NYCCand Diocese consultation document that an

attempt was made during Autumn 2018 to broker a federation between clapham school and

other primaryschools in Northcraven, cumbria and Lancashire. Whilstthe negotiations held

have not been disclosed, it is understood that discussions progressed with several schools but were unfruitful due to concerns over the perceived leadership,education and financial

challenges at Clapham. Essentially,Headteachers and GoverningBodies(ifconsulted) were

worried that ClaphamSchoolwould prove a drag on their own leadership and resources.

6.3. The concerns about federating with a school presented as ‘beingindifficulty’are understood. Similar considerations are known to have influenced local schools when Horton-in

Ribblesdale schoolwas also introuble and a federation was sought. Itisapparent that leaders

and staff in potential federation partners are concerned that, ifthey try to help a school, they

can then be unfairlyassociated with its closure should that be the outcome.

6.4. The difficultyin forming a federation when a school is perceived to be in trouble does not,

however, change the fact that the policy ofthe church of England8is to see small schools strengthen through federation or similar. The action group has looked at the current status

of the smallest fifty primary schoolsin North Yorkshireas at 2017, measured by revenue, and

federation is clearlythe direction of travel.

6.5. The chart and table on the following pageshows the numbers of schools that have closed, are under consultation or remain viable;the viable schools are split between those with their

own Headteacher and those who share. It is interesting to note that clapham School,

towards the right, is the largest of the schools as measured in 2017 that is now closed or

under threat of closure. This emphasises that the factors leading to the drop in numbers have been specific,quickto take effect and temporary.

EmbracingChange:RuralandSmallSchools,TheChurchof EnglandEducationOffice,March2018 ______

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m 2.21 • a) 0 rfl 0 0 N H .0 o a e a a C 0 0 I -o 4- C 4 C C, a) -4 0 1:i I.. 4-0 S .0 C to a -IlL -l03 -I 1 ‘-I C U, 0 k; N D 4.’ C CD Co U, 2 C 4.’ 00 -D C ‘.4 C a)I z I.. U 0 a :L;t0i a) U La -I C -4 a) In CD

4.’ La a) -J0 .v 4.’ 000’.4 o A (N C ‘0 (N C L o — — U — U, r4o C 4-C) U, It xC) C aC) C C 6.6. The analysisshows that there are only two schoolswith an income below£220,000 in 2017

that have their own, dedicated Headteacher in 2019 and neither of these is a Church of

Englandschool. Evidencethat the Church of Englandpolicyis being followed is clear as 23

out of the 29 church schoolsinthe sample have a shred Headteacher.

6.7. The action group draws the clear conclusion,therefore, that federations are entirely feasible

for small, ruralschools and indeed are a policyobjective for the Churchof Englandschools.

The further conclusion is drawn that the attempt to find a federation partner for Claphamin

late 2018 was not stymied by Clapham’sgeography, the intrinsic nature of other schools in

the area or other permanent factors but bythe circumstances of the school at the time the search was made.

6.8. The Governing Body,LocalAuthority andDiocese Board of Education are asked to endorse

this conclusion andto look again to broker a federation agreement once the first phase of

the Education RecoveryPlan has been secured. Such an agreement will enhance the,

curriculum at Clapham and, by sharing costs and resources, the reliance on community donations to avoid further deficitswillbe limited.

*.

•‘ :‘ 7. Consequendes of closure

7.1. The impact of school closure on the community is a well-rehearsed argument; in the case of clapham-cum-Newby, the school closure directly threatens an active and so far, successful strategy to rejuvenate the Parish.

7.2. The action group notes that the NYCCand Diocese consultation document does not include

the impact on the community in its list of key factors to be considered.

7.3. Any community impact study should cover the full scope as required by the statutory guidelines: the overall and long-term impact on local people and the community of the closure of the village school and of the loss of the building as a community facility

7.4. The study should not be limited to the loss of the community facility but give equal weight to the long-term impact on the community; specifically, the extent to which the school closing

will constrain the programme of rejuvenation currently underway that aims to reverse the trend towards ‘geriatricification’ of Clapham.

7.S. The strands of the rejuvenation programme include:

—ahyperfast broadband network reaching every property in the parish, with the specific aims of attracting businesses and working families into the area;

—therenovation and development of the Ingleborough Estate property portfolio to attract working families back into the village and reverse the trend of unused buildings falling into disrepair;

—the relaunch of local services and amenities, including the village shop and pub which are both focussed on rebuilding trade with the local community and becoming less reliant on seasonal tourism;

—substantial new residential development (greater than 10% of existing housing stock) of which the largest development was given permission partly on the argument that it would contribute to the rejuvenation of the parish generally and underpin the future of the school

At the time, Cur.DavidIreton said: ‘Claphamwould benefit from a bit of growth and pointed out the area had already lost three primary schools with another, Horton-in-Ribblesdale,underconsultation for possible closure’. 7.6. Eachof the initiativesdepends on the basic proposition that Clapham-cum-Newbyis a good place for workingfamiliesto settle with the right infrastructure, services and amenities.

7.7. The community shop has evaluated the impact of the school closure and its conclusion

includes the following:“Interms of business we would, obviously, lose the school account.

Asfar as personal customers are concerned, we can onlyestimate that, potentially, we could

lose contact with the familieswho would have had childrenat the schoolshould it close. They

may wellgo elsewhere ifthey do not have the same reason td be in Clapham atthe start and

end ofthe schoolday (many ofthe childrendo not liveinthe villagebut come infrom outlying

areas). We knowthat the end of the school day is a busy time inthe shop with pupils,mums

and dads cominginto stock up fortea, buytreats etc. Ifthe school runtakes them elsewhere

it is not a giant leap to see that we willlose trade. Villageshops do not operate on the basis

of a makinga lot of profit.Thisshop isonlya success because of the huge amount ofvolunteer

time which goes into it. The loss ofany customer group is of great concern to us, makingit

harder to meet our targets and potentially putting the future of the shop at risk”

7.8. The fullstatement from ClaphamVillageStore can befound at appendix 5.

7.9. The closure of the school willhave an adverse impact on elderly residents in the parish who

currently benefit from monthly visits to the school for lunch, organised by Age UK. This

interaction between the generations in Clapham isvalued and would be missed bythe older residents and childrenalike.

7.10. Similarly,members of the community with life experiences to share have delivered a series

of ‘lectures’ over the years which again bring the generations together in a way that won’t be possible should the school close.

7.11. Finally,the school ITsuite was opened with the stated benefit of reducing the number of

people in the community who suffer from digital exclusion; should the school close, it is

expected that NYCCwillreplicate this facilityelsewhere inthe villageifdigitalexclusionisnot to be exacerbated. S. Proposed catch ment

81 The public consultation proposes that there be a joint catchment area for Bentham and Austwickschools that covers Clapham-cum-Newbyparish; this does not take into account

the overallquality of alternative places inthe localarea, the popularityof other localschools,

any increase inthe use of motor vehiclesand the balance of denominational provisioninthe area

82 The action group has talked to parents and established that their preferences, in the event

of the school being closed, are ranked: 1)Austwick,2) Settle, 3) Bentham. Noparents prefer Bentham.

83 The lackof any preference for Bentham is due to its teaching and learning, as judged by KS2

outcomes in comparison to the other three schools listed above, the fact that it is not a Churchof Englandschool,the travel distance and the size of the school (especiallyfor children

with SEN who are settled in a school the size of Clapham).

84 The factors used by the parents to judge alternative schools are similarto those required by the statutory guidelines: namely, the decision-maker should take into account the overall

quality of alternative places in the local area, the popularity of other local schools, any

increase inthe use of motor vehiclesand the balance of denominational provisioninthe area.

85 Once Bentham has been excluded as an alternative, the proposed catchment will make Austwickprimary school the assumed choice of parents; whilst there are no concerns about the teaching and learningat Austwick,asjudged bypublished data, parents do worrywhether

there will be capacity to take their children given its large catchment that now includes the parishes of Austwick,Lawklandand Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Recent building works do not provide additional capacity but, according to the Austwickschool newsletter, create extra space that was already “much needed” 10

86 Trafficissues are particularly acute at Austwickwith school buses having to arrive earlyto

avoid congestion at the end of the day; it is reported that children fromfurther afield, such

as those relocated from Horton-in-Ribblesdale,are havingtheir day cut short

‘° Austwick CE(VA) Primary School & Nursery newsletter,11 January 2019 - ‘c F -: ‘* A ‘A A

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Appendix 1. Schedule of new housing developments

NEWDWEWNGS/EXTANTPLANNINGAPPROVALS

Next 1-5 years Dalesview Close, Clapham, IAZBRP I 2bed terrace Farsale 1 20/21 2 Terrace Farsale 1 20/21 3 Terrace Farsale 1 20/21

4 Terrace - Occupied

5 3bed semi-detached - Forsale 1 20/21 6 ? bed semi-detached 1 20/21 73 bed semi-detached - not started Forsale 1 20/21 8Notstarted 1 20/21

9 4 bed semi-detached - semi complete Forsale 1 20/21 10 Semi complete 1 20/21 11 4 bed detached - practically finished Forsale 1 20/21 12 ? Bed detached - practically finished Occupied 13 4 bed detached - practically finished 1 20/21 14 4 bed detached - practically finished 1 20/21 15 4 bed detached - practically finished Forsale 1 20/21 16 3 bed bungalow - practicallyfinished Forsale 1 20/21 17 4 bed link-detached - practicallyfinished Forsale 1 20/21 18 7 bed link-detached - practicallyfinished 1 20/21 19 Detached Occupied 20 Terrace Occupied 21 Terrace Occupied 22 Terrace Occupied 23 4 bed detached Not starter 1 20/21 24 4 bed detached Not starter 1 20/21 25 4bed detached Notstartec 1 20/21 Scalemire, Clapham, LA28JD Work-live barn conversion (The Steading) Occupied Woodgill Farm, Keasden, 1A2 8HB 5 bed detached 1 21/22 Greenways, Newby, LA28HS 2 bed detached bungalow Unfinished 1 20/21 WaterTreatmentWorks, Keasden, LA28HA 3 bed detached 7 1 22/23 Station Road, Clapham, IAZ8ER 16 3 bed semi-detached UnfinIshed 1 21/22

17 3 bed semi-detached - UnfinIshed 1 21/22 18 4 bed detached Unfinished 1 21/22 Bence Barn, Keasden, IAZ8EU 3 bed barn ‘conversion” 7 1 22/23 Fountain House Farm,Clapham, IA2SEH 3 bed barn conversion Not starter 1 22/23 Caiterber Barn,Clapham, IAZ8ES 3 bed barn conversion UnfinIshed 1 22/23 ingbergh Barn,Ciapham, IAZBHL 4 bed barn conversion Not startec 1 23/24 Old Masons Yard IAZ8EB Old Office Not starter 1 23/24 Old Office Not starter 1 23/24

NEWDWEWNGS/EWFANTPLANNINGAPPROVALSSINCE2011CENSUS 31 C

Appendix 2. Statement from the Ingieborough Estate

The Farrer familyhave owned the Ingleborough Estate for over 200 years and in 1864 built Clapham School. Through its involvement with the village over the generations the emphasis has been on providingaffordable rents to those livingand working in the locality.The houses are only rented to those who willbe livinginthem as their primaryfull-time residence.

Between 2015-2019 most of the villagehousing has been transferred into The Farrer FamilyCharitable Trust whose objectives and activities include “the promotion of social inclusion within the area”. Without a villageschool adding diversity, breadth, youth and vibrancy to villagelife,this aim willbe hard to achieve.

Since 2014, post the death of the late DrJohn Farrer, who owned the Estate forGOyears, it has been administered bythe trustees, includingmyselfas ResidentTrustee inthe village.Overthe past 2 years the Estate has been engaged in a huge programme of housing renovation, prioritisingbringingyoung families, where appropriate, into the refurbished houses. Currently the average age of tenants in Estate properties is relatively high with 51%of houses let to 60-85 year olds. When houses become available,the trustees have adopted a policyof letting tofamilies with primary-schoolaged children. 3 families have moved intothe villageover the past 6 months. Approvalfor planningapplications for 6 houses has been granted (3 x 3 bedroom barn conversions, 3 new homes on Station Road on land sold to a developer) and we have a number of planningapplications in the pipeline over the next 2-3 years, some of which willinclude affordable familyhousing.

Insummary, the Estate is continuing to do its utmost to make Claphama desirable place to livefor a cross-section of age groups and society. Clapham is ideallysituated on the A65at the gateway to the Dales,with its superfast broadband, it offers potential for those able to work from home and for new businesses, especiallythose targeted at tourism. The villageschool provides an essential part of the

fabric of balanced villagein the Dales. .

The closure of the school would be contrary to government policy of supporting and bringing sustainable growth to rural communities and boosting rural areas. Claphamwould turn into a village for the retired and a source for holiday homes, this would be a disaster for the community. With the shop, the church tower and the implementation of B4RN,the community and Estate have a unique relationship with good track record of working together to make things happen. This should be no exception with the school.

On behalf of the Trustees

: I

Appendix 3 Localschools wraparound care

School Breakfast club AfternoQn Club Nursery Notes Usually 8-9am Times vary: 3.30- 4.30/5.30.Gpm

Austwick Yes Yes Yes

Kirkby-in No Yes No Maihamdale

Settle Yes Yes Yes

Provided off site by Ingleton Yes Yes - See note Yes Kidzof Ingleton

After school Giggleswick Yes Yes - See note No activities, not every day

Tatham Fells No Yes Yes

Melling Yes Yes Yes

Run by Long Long Preston Yes - See Note Yes - See note Yes - See note - Preston Playgroup

Provided off site as Leck Yes Yes - See note Yes Ingleton

Yes (includes Provided off site as Bentham Yes YesSeenote* reception) Ingleton

‘ Kidzarrange to collect children after school, in their own mini bus Appendix 4 Clapham Education Network

Name/contact Occupation/qualifications (as Expertise/time offered relevant) L.. iarent) Marketing communications Reading with children specialist Helpingwith workdisplays General admin School marketing parent) ITexpert ITsupport

. ommunity) Former Finance Director Financialplanning Former programme and project Project management management consultant Governance QA Former primary school governor Grant applications Former Director of Ascot United football club Settle college governor community) Reading with children Teaching sewing or knitting First aider — (community) Qualified teacher and head Villagehistory of Clapham and teacher Farrers. Handicraft teaching Mountain Leadership Certificate Reading to children Teaching of reading Bell-ringing Clapham church history — ‘parent) Reading with children Attending Stay and Play sessions Helpingwith crafts (parent) Reading with children Gardening

. Assisting with after school clubs community) Administration with good ITskills Administration support Former nursery assistant Website maintenance Occasional childcare support (ie additional adult for after school clubs but not every day!) jparent) Reading with children Attending Stay and Play or Breakfast/After School Clubs (community) Project management Reading with children Political lobbying Attending Stay and Play or Breakfast/After School Clubs parent) Attending Stay and Play or Breakfast/After School Clubs ‘ (parent) Reading with children t_ (parent) Help at after school clubs, Gardening, Crafts V

Appendix 5. Clapham Village Store

As a strong community group in the villages of Clapham-cum-Newby and Keasden we would wish to add our support to the Clapham Community Action Groups campaign to keep the above school open.

As a community run shop employing S staff from local communities and supported by 40+ volunteers we have a strong bond with our customers. They are our friends, relatives, neighbours, visitors and, in some cases, our shareholders. The school has been one of the groups we have sought to forge strong linkswith since the shop re-opened four years ago. Children from the school are our customers and we enjoy taking time with them to help them to make their purchases, teach them a bit about money and chat with them about what they have been doing or what their plans are. As this most frequently happens after school we are less likelyto enjoy that interaction with one another— a loss to us but also a loss to those children who benefit from the contact with older members of their community (which most of our volunteers are). For them it represents a positive interaction with the older generation and vice versa for our volunteers.

We have also undertaken specific projects with the school — our Bagfor Lifehas a logo designed by a pupil from

Clapham School. In addition we have a joint gardening project — From Seed to Sale. Pupils are cultivating the small back garden of the shop and their produce willgoon sale in the shop with proceeds to the school. Probably not very much in terms of cash but a great learning experience close to home.

In terms of business we would, obviously, lose the school account. As far as personal customers are concerned we can only estimate that potentially, we could lose contact with the families who would have had children at the school should it close. They may well go elsewhere if they do not have the same reason to be in Clapham at the start and end of the school day (many of the children do not live in the village but come in from outlyin’ areas). We know that the end of the school day is a busy time in the shop with pupils, mums and dads coming in to stock up for tea, buy treats etc. Ifthe school run takes them elsewhere it is not a giant leap to see that we will lose trade, Villageshops do not operate on the basis of a making a lot of profit. This shop is only a success because of the huge amount of volunteer time which goes into it.

The loss of any customer group is of great concern to us, making it harder to meet our targets and potentially putting the future of the shop at risk. This would, of course, have a knock-on effect for the staff we employ and the volunteers who get so much out of working in the shop. The shop has given many of them a real boost giving them a new interest and purpose. It would also have a great impact upon those customers who are less mobile’ and are unable to shop elsewhere easily. For them a visit to the shop not only enables them to make the purchases they need, it also gives them a reason to get out of the house and to actually talk to someone.

However, the loss of the school goes even deeper than that. One reason why we are able to have such a thriving community shop is that we can mine from a very rich seam of volunteers because the demographic profile of Clapham and its surrounding villages is older than the North Yorkshireaverage which is, initself, older than the national average. This is beneficial to us but it is not ideal for the community itself and the danger is that, ifthe school should close, this trend will accelerate and we are in danger of becoming a ghetto of the retired. This does not make for a healthy, vibrant community. In other words one which is a mix of age groups, skills, experiences and interests. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Management Plan they state as one of the seven objectives that they intend to achieve is to make our area.home to strong, self-reliant and balanced communities with good access to the services they need- Closingschools is not the way to achieve this,

-. -

- “ z$ :‘

Appendix 6. Pupil number projections

NYCC Forecast

Number r3234 Previous DotE No I SchoOl: I Clapham Church of England Voluntary_controlled Primary School Pupils as at JAflUABY 2019 kademy Trust -1 Diocesan flea: 5at Planning live birth, % Migration Workings District Church Schools SCAP Locality :ounty Couo.idllor/u PAN 2018/19 lead Advisor Officer only Nottui n outer Actual: 0.72% 0 Mig. -033 Craven Leeds Diocese (CE) JuliaTemple David Ireton ft MatI Blyton

rocal MP is Ian Smith MP 36U8 4eRange 3 toll 0151322 rederatedwlthi - Urban/Rural Name Rural village in sparse netting URN 121557

School Year 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29)30 10/31 31/32 32/33 33/34 34/35 UveBlnhs& rorerann Birth,: 476 461 450 454 469 464 458 458 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 431 427 424 422 420 420 420 Craven % actual live 105% 0.65% 044% 0.72% 072% 0.72% 072% births from 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0-72% 4+ Reception 5 5 2 S 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3333333 3 3 3 5+ Yrl 9 7 3 2 5 3 2 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6+ 52 2 10 6 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7+ 53 3 3 11 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 8+ Vr4 7 4 -4 9 5 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3+ . YeS 6 7 6 4 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 10+ Yr6 8 6 7 6 3 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Total 40 42 39 34 27 28 23 22 22 21 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

Housing Notes Number 4

PermissIons 5 yr 14 4 Housingyidd - Outstanding Permissions 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Forecast with outstanding permissions (with 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 rounding) Unapproved 7 yr 0 Housingyield - Unapproved applications 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aoolicadons Forecast with OP and Un Apps (with rounding) 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

Houtingyivid - Local Plan/currentunapproved Local Plan 15 yr plan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 applications with rounding) ,recastwith OP,Un Appu, Local Plan 26 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 lngleborough Syr 0 0 Housingyivid - Ingleborough Estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total rounded 14 4 rotal forecast inc. housing yield (with rounding 26 25 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

Net Capacity 56 lAN 5 Vi 15/17 Y513/14 10 Number or Noith Vo,ks pupils (king in catc hment” (2018/191 -— Maximum Workplaces 59 PAPIs 8 18/19 8 V3 15/16 10 VS 12/13 10 Number or pupils anendleg from within cathnsest 12018/191 18 Academy Funding Agreement N/A VI 17/18 8 14 14/15 10 19/20 8 Number of pupils from within cat:hme r.t a totd:ng other Nsrtis York trIm 2018/19 14

. FT Ni NI LIE Anendlng Oapham ‘mm other school catchment areas°’’’ (2018/191 10 - 1 Nursery age pupil scurrendy attending school — — PT N2 [12 — LIE May include a shared area ‘°May include out ol county — CAG Worst-case loon Number r3234 I DOIENO School: I Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Pupils as at JM4UMY 2019 Academy Trust Diucesan flea: Sleattaic Planning births Migration Workings District church Schools SCAP Locality Couoncilior/s PAfl 2018/19 Lead Advisor Live % Officer

. only North Cr::en Outer Actual: 072% 0 Mig. craven Leeds Dioceue (cc) Julia Temple David leeton 8 Mati Blyton

Local MR Julian Smith MP — 3eU8 — Age Range 13 toll 8151322 Federated withi urban/Rural Name Rural village in sparse settIng URN 121557

School Year 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/75 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 10/31 31/32 32/31 33/34 34/as

UveBirths& - rorecassolrthe: 476 461 450 454 469 464 458 418 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 411 42] 424 422 420 420 420 rmy5 live 1.05% 0.65% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0.44% 0 44% 0.44% 4 from Reception S S 2 5 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Yrl 9 7 3 2 5 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Yr2 2 10 5 7 2 4 3 2 2 2 2 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 T Yr3 3 3 II 6 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 j 5r4 7 4 4 9 5 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 -n r V’s 6 7 6 4 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 IrE 8 6 7 6 3 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

C 40 42 39 34 27 28 24 20 19 17 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 I______lng Notes Master 4 unions 5y 31 8 HousingieId0utaundingPermissions 2 3 5 6 8 8 s a a a 6 6 8 a a a Forecast wish outstanding pernsss.ant (with 26 23 24 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 rounding) i.ppetved 4 1 Housing yield - Unapproved applications 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 WlcaUons — I ,‘andunpps(wilhrouusding) 26 23 25 24 24 23 21 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23

Housngsdd - Local Plan/currmtunapproved Men 15 yr plan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 local applicanons (wish rounding) Uneopeweal Plan 26 23 25 24 74 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23

11 3 Housingyidd-lnglebu.oughtslate 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

rcl rowsdgd 46 12 blal forecast Inc. houslngyield with eour.ding 27 24 27 26 27 25 26 26 25 26 26 26 26 26 26 26

Net Capacity 56 lAN 8 U 1Q17 8 V513/l IC Number of lionS Vorks pupils hang in atchment° 110l8/19f Mesimum Workplaces 59 PM4o la/19 8 fl 15/16 10 V6 12/13 10 Number of pupIls attending 1mm wilNin calbunent 2058/151 18 I Academy funding Agreennanit N/A Yl 12/18 8 V4 14/15 10 19/20 8 Number of pupils from w,thin catcimens attand,ng stoi Nail 5.-asch. lOla/li 54 FT Ni NI PiE 1 AttendIng Oapham from other ithool catthmenl are as” 1201a/191 10 Nursery age pupil ucurrently attending school — . — PT NI Ni rip May Indude a shared are May include out of county — t

CAG Middle-case

DotE Number DotE 13234 I previous No I - I Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Pupils as at JANUARY 2fl19 Academy Trust •1 Diocesan flea: StratrglcPlanning Use births % Migration Workings District Church Schools SCfl Locality ountyCouoncillor/s PAIl 2018/19 Lead Advisor only

- . North Craven Outer Actual: 0.72% 0 Mig. -0.33 Craven Leeds Diocese (CE) Julia Temple David heron 8 Matt Blyton Area

local UP Ju Ian SmIRh UP 36U0 — geflann 13 toll 8151322 Federated wimI

Urban/Rural Name Rural village in sparse setting URN 121551

School Year 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/11 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21)22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 31/32 32/33 33/a4 34/35 Live Births & 476 461 450 454 469 464 458 458 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 431 421 424 422 420 420 420 Forecast Blnhs

-— 1.05% 0.65% 0.44% 0.72% 0.12% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0-72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 0.72% 032% z; — --5: 4+ trcrptol __ 5 2 5 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5+ yrl 7 3 2 5 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6+ yr io 6 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7+ Yr 3 11 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6+ Yr 4 4 9 S 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 9+- Yr e 6 7 6 4 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 10+ Yr 8 6 7 6 3 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 reed 40 42 39 34 27 28 25 22 22 21 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

(Houilng Notes Number 4

Pernsslons 5 yr - 31 8 Houuingyidd - Oulstanding PermissIons 2 3 5 6 a a a a a 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 rorecastwlth outttandlng permIssIons (with - 27 25 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 rounding) -

1 Houuingyidd-unapprovedapplications 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - I I

‘ and Un pps (cub rounding) 27 25 28 28 29 29 30 30 30 30 -- - 30- 30 30 30 30 30

Housingyleld - Local Plan/current unapproved 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 applications (with rounding) UnApps,Local Plan 27 25 28 28 29 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

3 Houslngyi&d-lngleoroughEstate 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

12 bra) Forecastinc. housingyi&d (with rounding 28 26 30 30 32 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33

ty 56 lAN 8 fl 1Q17 8 Th13/1’ 10 — — NtmberolNorth Yoits pupils lIving In otdimens°” 120W19) laces 59 PAINs 5 18/19 8 fl 15/16 10 Y6U/V 10 Namberotpuplls altendingirom within cathanent(2018/19) 16 o4ingAgreeunsent N/A Yl 17/18 8 Y4 14/IS 10 19/20 8 Number ol pepuls lrnm within caichmeii tallesdi ug oilier North Yoit sths 12018/19 14 -.:- FT Ni Ni Fit Attending Capham from other school ratchment area (3015/rn) 10 school — — - — ifly:aIePliP$s currently attending •aa — %t€t. PT N2 - Ni — Fm Mayindude a shared are Mayindude ougoftounty -;wc

5-

I CAG Best-case DolErluniber ]3234 I Pralojas DofENo I School; J Oaphan church of England Voluntary Controfled Prmary School

Urban/Rural Name Rural village in sparse Sealing URN 121557

School Year 11112 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 70/21 71/22 22/23 23124 24/25 75/76 26/27 27128 28/29 29130 30/31 31/32 32/33 33134 34/35 U ye Births & Forecast oirlhs. 476 461 450 454 489 464 458 458 458 456 454 433 431 448 444 440 436 431 427 424 422 420 420 420 Craven A %actual live 0.65% 0.44% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05%

It RecepUon 5 5 2 3 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 S 4 Sib.. YrI 9 7 3 2 5 3 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 141S Yr2 2 10 & 7 2 4 3 2 5 5 S 5 5 5 5 5 5 S 5 S 5 5 7+,lu Yr3 3 3 13 6 3 4 4 3 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 14-.. Yr4 7 4 4 9 5 3 4 4 3 2 S S 5 5 5 S 5 5 5 5 5 5 9+ Yr5 6 7 S 4 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 S S 5 5 10+ 6 6 6 7 6 3 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 S S 5 5 Ts 40 42 39 34 27 2! 27 26 26 21 30 32 35 35 35 15 35 35 15 35 25 34

Hou,ing Notei Hunter 4 slions Sw 31 8 Houslngyidd0ubtandingPmni13ion1 2 3 5 6 8 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 8 8 8 IFnrecastvnth ouUndingperiolnnIons (with . 29 29 33 35 35 40 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 42 Irounding) — — Unapproved I Housing yidd - Unapproved application, 0 0 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Aoelpcations tOPandUnApps(withrounding) 29 29 34 36 39 41 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 43

Housing yield - tocal Plan/current unappeoved

. . . 0 0 local Plan Isyrplan 0 . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 applicatons (with rounding)

(with OP. Un Aops, local Plan 29 29 34 36 39 41 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 43 ingttorough —a Syr 11 6 Housingyi&d-lnglthorooghEstale 1 2 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Total rounded 46 15 lola’ fnrecatnlnc. housingyleld (with rounnp C 31 38 41 45 47 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 49 St.. Mel Capar.ly 56 IAN a 57 15/ 17 -a nu/l jo — — NumberotNonhyorts pupfli IhAngin at renl” 12018/193 Ma’imunWorkplacm 59 PANs 5 11/19 8 0 15/36 10 Y612/1 10 Number St pupils aneeding teem within athonent(201W19) 18 10 S NCrber ut pupits horn w;th,i cacao; err attending other North Yneb sac 7018/19 13 kadnny Funding greement N/A VI 11/lI 8 N N/IS 1W29 2

. Ni Ni tIE *nettbm lam ether urisool caldimen (2013/20) 10 . FT 1 — Noesery age pupils currently annisding school — — — . PT PIZ . N2 FIE a !1&VIJaIiI1baredarea’•••Mav’ndude outolcoucty

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I0oNumber 13234 I Previous DOIENC I Rho.?: I dapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Pupils as at iANUv 2029 AcadeenyTrust

- Diocesan flea: - 5atumntttg Uvebirthi % Migration Workings District Church Schools SCM’ Locality :ounsyCouoncillor/s PMJ2OXS/19 Lead Advisor only North Craven Outer Actual: 0,72% 0 Mig. -033 Craven Leeds Diocese (CE) Jutia Temple David Ireton a Mati Styton

lacal MP Jullan Smith MP 36U6 Mekange Is toll 8151322 Federated withi Urban/Rural Name Rural village in sparse setting (mU 121557

Schoot Year 11/12 32/13 13/14 14/Is 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 71/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 31/32 32/33 33/34 34/35 U ye Sir Ihs & Forecant eirtht: 476 461 450 454 469 464 458 458 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 431 427 424 422 420 420 420

Craven - 16 actual live 1.05% 0.65% 0.44% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% OSS% 0.85% 0,85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0-85% 0-85% 0-85% births from 4+ ReceptIon 5 5 2 S 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5+ Yrl 9 7 3 2 5 3 2444444444444444 6+ Yrl 2 10 6 2 2 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 7+ Yr3 3 3 11 6 3 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 8+ Yr4 7 4 4 9 5 3 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9+- Yr5 6 7 6 4 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

80+ - Yr6 8 6 7 6 3 6 6 3 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Total - 40 42 39 34 27 25 26 24 25 25 25 26 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28

Housing Notes Number 4

PermissIons 5 yr 31 a Housingyidd - Outstanding Permissions 2 3 5 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 8 8 8 8 8 rorecasewith outstandtng permissions lwtth 28 27 30 31 33 34 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 roundinel Unapproved Housing yield. Unapproved applications 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ,Aoolsca(sons • and Un Apps (with rounding) 28 27 31 32 34 35 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 Housingyteld- Local Plan/current unapproved 15 yr plan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 applications Iwith roundsngl , Un Mpps, Local plan 28 27 31 32 34 35 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 lnglthorough 5 yr 11 5 Housingyield• Ingleborough Estate 2 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Total - rounded 46 15 bsal forecastinc. houslngyield (with rounding 30 31 36 38 40 41 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 NetCaparity 56 lAN 8 niB/I? a This/F jo Numberof Nonh Yolks pupils lit-leg in catthment” 2018/19)

Maximum Workplaces 59 PAtio I 38/19 8 T3 15/16 - 10 yGUhli 10 Number of pupils attending (mm within thcment (2018/19) 18 Academy runding Agreement N/A Yl 17/18 8 Y4 14/IS 10 19/20 8 Number of pupils from wthi ncaictsnsent attending other Nonis Toil schs 11018119 14

— R NI Ni FTE 1 Attending Oapham fmm othersthsol edimentareas°°’° (2018/19) 10 Nursery age pupil scurr ently aslending school — — PT N2 12 FIr !.t May indude a shared area •.oaMay Indude out of county — I,’

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t Appendix 6 DfE Number 3234 Previous DfE No 0 School: Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Pupils as at Academy Trust 0 Diocesan Area: Strategic Planning Live births % Migration Workings District: Church Schools SCAP Locality: County Councillor/s: PAN 2018/19 Lead Adviser Officer: only Leeds Diocese North Craven Outer Actual: 0.72 0 Mig. 0.00 Craven Julia Temple David Ireton Matt Blyton (CE) Area 8 Age Local MP Julian Smith MP 36UB 3 to 11 8151322 Federated with Not applicable Range

Urban/Rural Name Rural village in a sparse setting URN 121557

School Yr 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 31/32 32/33 33/34 34/35

Live Births & 476 461 450 454469 464 458 458 458 456 454 453 451 448 444 440 436 431 427 424 422 420 420 420 forecast births

% actual live 1.05 0.65 0.44 births from 4+ 5 5 25323333333333333 3 3 3 5+ 9732532333333333333 3 3 3 6+ 21062243233333333333 3 3 3 7+ 33116344323333333333 3 3 3 8+ 7449534432333333333 3 3 3 9+ 6764663443233333333 3 3 3 10+ 8676366344323333333 3 3 3 Total 40 42 39 34 27 28 25 22 22 21 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

Housing Notes Number

Permissions 5 yr 31 8 Housing yield - Outstanding Permissions 1345788888888 8 8 8

Forecast with outstanding permissions (with 26 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 rounding)

Unapproved 7 yr 4 1 Housing yield - Unapproved applications 0011111111111 1 1 1 applications

Forecast with OP and Un Apps (with rounding) 26 25 27 27 28 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

Other inc Local Housing yield - Local Plan / current unapproved 15 yr plan 11 3 0012233333333 3 3 3 Plan applications (with rounding)

Total rounded 46 12 Total forecast inc. housing yield (with rounding) 26 25 28 29 30 32 33 34 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 Net Capacity 56 IAN 8 Y2 16/17 8 Y5 13/14 10 Number of North Yorks pupils living within catchment*** (2018/19) 32 Maximum Workplaces 59 PANs R 18/19 8 Y3 15/16 10 Y6 12/13 10 Number of pupils attending from within catchment (2018/19) 18 Academy Funding Agreement #N/A Y1 17/18 8 Y4 14/15 10 19/20 8 Number of pupils from within catchment attending other North York Schs (2018/19) 14 FT N1 0 N2 0 FTE 0 Attending above school from other school catchment areas**** (2018/19) 10 Nursery age pupils currently attending school PT N1 0 N2 0 FTE 0 *** This may include a shared area **** This may include out of county

APPENDIX 7

Equality Impact Assessment

Equality impact assessment (EIA) form: evidencing paying due regard to protected characteristics

(Form updated May 2015)

Proposal to close Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

If you would like this information in another language or format such as Braille, large print or audio, please contact the Communications Unit on 01609 53 2013 or email [email protected].

Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are public documents. EIAs accompanying reports going to County Councillors for decisions are published with the committee papers on our website and are available in hard copy at the relevant meeting. To help people to find completed EIAs we also publish them in the Equality and Diversity section of our website. This will help people to see for themselves how we have paid due regard in order to meet statutory requirements.

Name of Directorate and Service Area CYPS Strategic Planning Team

How will you pay due regard? e.g. working LA Officers and School Governing Body group, individual officer

When did the due regard process start? Consultation started on 14 February 2019

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Section 1. Please describe briefly what this EIA is about. (e.g. are you starting a new service, changing how you do something, stopping doing something?)

A proposal to close (cease to maintain) Clapham CE VC Primary School. A period of consultation with the community has been carried out, including written consultation and a public meeting and a statutory representation period will follow.

Section 2. Why is this being proposed? What are the aims? What does the authority hope to achieve by it? (e.g. to save money, meet increased demand, do things in a better way.)

The County Council is under a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places in the area, promote high educational standards, ensure fair access to educational opportunity and promote fulfilment of every child’s educational potential. There are four key concerns: 1) Low pupil numbers; 2) Breadth of curriculum, 3) The schools financial position, and 4) Leadership. These issues are laid out in detail in the consultation document and the report to CYPS Executive Members on 5 February 2019.

Section 3. What will change? What will be different for customers and/or staff?

It is proposed that Clapham CE VC Primary School should close with effect from 31 August 2019 and that the catchment areas of both Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham Community Primary School would be extended to form a shared catchment area to serve the area currently served by Clapham CE Primary School.

Section 4. Involvement and consultation (What involvement and consultation has been done regarding the proposal and what are the results? What consultation will be needed and how will it be done?)

The consultation period ran from 14 February 2019 to 4 April 2019. Consultation documents were distributed to a wide range of stakeholders, and a public meeting was held. The consultation document and responses are included in the report to the Executive on 30 April 2019.

Section 5. What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?

Please explain briefly why this will be the result.

There may be some additional pupil transport costs.

Any savings to the Dedicated Schools Grant arising from the closure, if approved, would remain within the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant as part of the funding for all schools. Any revenue or capital balances would be made available to the receiving school in line with the

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Closing School Accounting Policy.

If the school closed, there could be a potential additional cost to the Local Authority in providing transport to other schools. Free home to school transport would be provided for entitled pupils in accordance with the revised catchment area arrangements in accordance with the County Council’s Home to School transport policy.

Section 6. How No Make Make Why will it have this effect? Provide will this impact things things evidence from engagement, consultation proposal affect better worse and/or service user data or demographic people with information etc. protected characteristics?

Age x x Currently there are only 28 pupils on roll. If the decision is taken to close the school this adversely affects the current cohort.

Moving to an alternative school will increase the opportunities for pupils to work and play with children their own age.

Disability x Pupils – The school is mainstream offering universal provision.

Expertise will be utilised from the County Council to provide appropriate SEN support.

Staff – As an organisation NYCC will continue to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 which obligates us to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled individuals as employees or service users.

Sex x No impact is anticipated.

Race x No impact is anticipated.

Gender x No impact is anticipated. reassignment

Sexual x No impact is anticipated. orientation

Religion or belief x If the decision is taken to close the School, this will adversely impact upon those pupils who wish to educated in a Church of England School. However, the nearest Church of

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England school, 2 miles from Clapham, is Austwick CE VA Primary School. There is also a Church of England school at Settle CE VC Primary School, 7 miles away.

Pregnancy or x No impact is anticipated. maternity

Marriage or civil x No impact is anticipated. partnership

Section 7. How No Make Make Why will it have this effect? Provide will this impact things things evidence from engagement, consultation proposal affect better worse and/or service user data or demographic people who… information etc.

..live in a rural x This proposal would have an adverse impact area? for those living within its catchment that attend the school as they would have to travel to alternative schools.

Across the area there are places available for all the pupils currently at Clapham CE VC Primary School. The nearest Church of England school is Austwick CE VA Primary School which is 2 miles from Clapham by road and also holds an Outstanding Ofsted judgement. There is also Ingleton Primary School which is 4.7 miles from Clapham, Bentham CP School at 5.5 miles and Giggleswick Primary School at 5.8 miles away, all of which were rated Good in their last Ofsted inspections.

Free home to school transport would be provided for entitled pupils within the enlarged catchment area in accordance with the County Council’s Home to School Transport policy. The County Council’s Home to School transport policy sets out that free school transport will be provided to the catchment school or nearest school to a child’s home address if it is over the statutory walking distances set out by law.

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…have a low x No impact anticipated income?

Section 8. Will the proposal affect anyone more because of a combination of protected characteristics? (e.g. older women or young gay men) State what you think the effect may be and why, providing evidence from engagement, consultation and/or service user data or demographic information etc.

All pupils and staff at the school would experience changes under these proposals that staff and governors would need to manage sensitively.

The County Council’s Officers now feel that this decision is in the best interests of children and families served by the school.

The Local Authority’s Admission Team will continue to work with families to try to meet their individual preferences for primary schools.

Home to school transport will be assessed in line with the County Council’s policy.

Section 9. Next steps to address the anticipated impact. Select one of the Tick following options and explain why this has been chosen. (Remember: we have an option anticipatory duty to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access chosen services and work for us)

1. No adverse impact - no major change needed to the proposal. There is no potential for discrimination or adverse impact identified. 2. Adverse impact - adjust the proposal - The EIA identifies potential problems or missed opportunities. We will change our proposal to reduce or remove these adverse impacts, or we will achieve our aim in another way which will not make things worse for people. 3. Adverse impact - continue the proposal - The EIA identifies potential problems x or missed opportunities. We cannot change our proposal to reduce or remove these adverse impacts, nor can we achieve our aim in another way which will not make things worse for people. (There must be compelling reasons for continuing with proposals which will have the most adverse impacts. Get advice from Legal Services) 4. Actual or potential unlawful discrimination - stop and remove the proposal – The EIA identifies actual or potential unlawful discrimination. It must be stopped. Explanation of why option has been chosen. (Include any advice given by Legal Services.)

This proposal would have an adverse impact for those living within its catchment that attend the school as they would have to travel to alternative schools, as set out above in Section 7.

Clapham CE VC Primary School is designated as a rural school under the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order. The School Organisation regulations and guidance contain a presumption against closure of rural schools, and it is a requirement that proposers must consider the effect of the discontinuance of any rural primary school on the local community. The statutory guidance specifically states that ‘This does not mean that a rural school will never close, but the

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case for closure should be strong and a proposal must be clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.’ Careful consideration has been had to alternatives to closure, transport implications and the impact on local people and the wider community of closure of the school. A detailed analysis of these issues is contained in the Statutory Proposals and the report to Executive of 30 April 2019. It is concluded that the case for closure is strong and in the best interests of educational provision in the area.

Section 10. If the proposal is to be implemented how will you find out how it is really affecting people? (How will you monitor and review the changes?)

Monitoring of standards will be carried out through the County Council’s Education and Skills Team and through Ofsted inspections. Monitoring of sufficiency of school places in the Clapham area will be undertaken by the CYPS Strategic Planning Team.

Section 11. Action plan. List any actions you need to take which have been identified in this EIA, including post implementation review to find out how the outcomes have been achieved in practice and what impacts there have actually been on people with protected characteristics.

Action Lead By when Progress Monitoring arrangements

Not applicable

Section 12. Summary Summarise the findings of your EIA, including impacts, recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.

The purpose of the consultation and proposed decision is to ensure that the children are provided with the best education provision in the area in a sustainable, stable and effective manner. In order to achieve these aims, despite the adverse impacts identified, the proposal to close the school needs to be considered.

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Appendix 8

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Proposal to Cease to Maintain a School Clapham Church of England Primary School

Notice is given in accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, intends to discontinue Clapham Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School, The Green, Clapham, Lancaster, LA2 8EJ on 31 August 2019.

Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained from: Corporate Director - Children and Young People's Service, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE and are available on the County Council's website at www.northyorks.gov.uk.

Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by sending them to Corporate Director - Children and Young People's Service, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, by 5pm on 13 June 2019.

Signed: B. Khan Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) Publication Date: 16 May 2019

Appendix 9

DRAFT To be finalised in the event of a decision to proceed with the statutory notice

Statutory proposals for school closures

As set out in the Establishment and Discontinuance Regulations the information below must be included in a proposal to close a school:

Contact details

Proposal, published by North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, to discontinue:

Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, The Green, Lancaster, LA2 8EJ, from 31 August 2019.

Clapham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a 3-11 Church of England Voluntary Controlled primary school in North Yorkshire. Implementation

It is proposed to close the school from 31 August 2019.

Reason for closure

There are four key concerns: 1) Low pupil numbers; 2) Breadth of curriculum, 3) The schools financial position, and 4) Leadership

Low pupil numbers

The critical concern is the fall in pupil numbers, which would inevitably result in an inability to provide the necessary breadth of curriculum experience and would also irrevocably undermine the schools future financial position.

The number of children at Clapham CE VC Primary School has been falling over the past few years. By the beginning of January 2019, there were 28 pupils on roll in the school and these are projected to fall to 25 by September 2020. This is well below the capacity of the school – which is designed to accommodate up to 59 pupils if all spaces are in use. Local Authority forecasts indicate that these numbers will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce further still in the following years as the larger year groups move into secondary education.

In these circumstances, it would be difficult to deliver and sustain quality education.

Breadth of Curriculum

The LA has already identified concerns around the school’s ability to meet the educational need of children with such small numbers alongside existing financial issues. As numbers continue to fall it will be increasingly difficult to provide the remaining pupils with access to the full range of experiences they need, particularly opportunities for working and playing with children their own age.

The Financial Position

Pupil numbers determine the school budget. With these low numbers, and a reduced budget, the school may have to further reduce staff.

Examination of the predicted financial position has led to concerns about the schools ability to preserve the quality of education. The school is projecting in year deficits of £28k in 2019/20 and £47k in 2020/21, and cumulative deficit of £102k by the end of that year. These were based on pupil assumptions at the time of 27 in 2019/20 and 21 in 2020/21, so the position will deteriorate further as pupil numbers fall with no reasonable prospect of recovery.

A revised budget has been produced by the Governing Body (Appendix 4), suggesting that the school will return to an in year surplus by 2022/23, and with community support, the cumulative deficit will be reduced to £23,846 by the end of 2020/21, and will be fully eliminated within a maximum of 10 years. The 2022/23 position is based on an assumption of 36 pupils on roll, and the LA’s view is that the forecast cumulative deficit at the end of 2022/23 would be approximately £53k rather than the £14.3k stated. This budget is analysed in Section 6 of the report to the Executive, 30 April 2019.

Leadership

Despite a number of attempts to recruit a substantive Executive Headteacher this has not proved possible. The current interim arrangements cannot continue into the future. It has not been possible to identify another school locally that would be prepared to share a Headteacher. Without secure leadership the school’s outstanding record is at risk.

Pupil numbers and admissions

The numbers (distinguishing between compulsory and non-compulsory school age pupils), age range, sex, and special educational needs of pupils (distinguishing between boarding and day pupils) for whom provision is currently made at the school.

There are currently 28 pupils on roll at the school as of March 2019, all of which are pupils of mainstream school age with 0 nursery-aged pupils. 16 out of these 28 pupils are female and 12 of the pupils are male.

Pupil PAN numbers Reception 2 8 Year 1 3 8 Year 2 4 8

Year 3 4 10 Year 4 3 10 Year 5 6 10 Year 6 6 10 Totals 28

The school’s age range is 3-11 years, and provision is available for boys and girls. There is no boarding provision. Information on special educational needs of pupils is not provided as this would contravene the Data Protection Act. Total pupil numbers are significantly lower than the capacity of the school which is designed to accommodate up to 59 pupils. Displaced pupils

A statement and supporting evidence about the need for school places in the area including whether there is sufficient capacity to accommodate displaced pupils. Details of the schools or further education colleges at which pupils at the school to be discontinued will be offered places, including— a) any interim arrangements; b) the provision that is to be made for those pupils who receive educational provision recognised by the local authority as reserved for children with special educational needs; and c) in the case of special schools, the alternative provision made by local authorities other than the local authority which maintain the school.

Details of any other measures proposed to be taken to increase the number of school or further education college places available in consequence of the proposed discontinuance.

a) No interim arrangements have been necessary.

There are four other North Yorkshire primary schools within reasonable travelling distance with places available currently. Across the area there are places available for all the pupils currently at Clapham CE VC Primary School. The nearest Church of England school is Austwick CE VA Primary School which is 2 miles from Clapham by road and also holds an Outstanding Ofsted judgement. There is also Ingleton Primary School which is 4.7 miles from Clapham, Bentham CP School at 5.5 miles and Giggleswick Primary School at 5.8 miles away, all of which were rated Good in their last Ofsted inspections.

It is proposed that the catchment areas of Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham CP School are expanded to include the current catchment area of Clapham CE Primary School. These schools both have capacity to take some additional pupils and have indicated a willingness to do so.

For any children currently at Clapham CE VC Primary School, North Yorkshire County Council would work with each family to try to meet their individual preferences for other schools.

Parents have a right to express a preference for any school and, in the case of community and voluntary controlled schools, the relevant Local Authority is the

admissions authority and will meet that preference provided there are vacant places or the school is happy to admit above the published admission number. In the case of Voluntary Aided schools, the governing body decide the conditions for admission to their particular school. Where a child attends a school which is not their normal school or nearest school, parents are normally responsible for making transport arrangements.

a) Not applicable in this case b) Not applicable in this case

Impact on the community

A statement and supporting evidence about the impact on the community of the closure of the school and any measures proposed to mitigate any adverse impact.

The school has an early year’s unit with currently one child registered for nursery, to begin after Easter. Although current demand is very low, the Governing Body suggest that there are three children interested in nursery in 2020/1, and five in 2021/2. They are looking in the short term at starting a weekly Stay and Play Group within the school and in the longer term reviewing the need for breakfast and or after school clubs within a wraparound care model.

The community shop has strong links with the school and has undertaken specific projects including a joint gardening project. They see much of their trade coming from parents, carers and children coming to the store before and after the school day, and also benefit from an account with the school. The community shop suggests that closure of the school would potentially reduce their contact with families and potentially put the future of the shop at risk.

Elderly residents in the parish currently visit the school each month for lunch, organised by Age UK. Members of the community have also delivered a series of ‘lectures’ at the school.

The Clapham School Action Group state that the school ICT suite was opened with the benefit of reducing the number of people in the community who suffer from digital exclusion.

In some communities the school is the only meeting space. However, at Clapham, there is a Village Hall at Cross Haw Lane, which has capacity for 150. It was recently refurbished and has central heating and a fully equipped kitchen. There is also a Reading Room on Church Avenue which hosts afternoon games clubs, the Bethel Chapel at Cross Haw Lane, which currently hosts a weekly village playgroup, and St James’ Church on Church Avenue. These could provide venues for the community activities that are currently taking place in the school building. It is not clear how extensively the school ICT facility is currently being used by the public. Public internet and computer access and help and support using IT is available at Ingleton and Bentham libraries (both 5 miles from Clapham).

The school building is not owned by the County Council, it is held on an implied Trust for the purposes of a school. The playing field is leased in by the County Council from a private landowner. Decisions about the future use of the school buildings and playing field will be taken by the owners after the closure proposal has been determined.

The Clapham Primary School Action Group highlights a rejuvenation programme which has included: - A hyperfast broadband network to every property in the parish, to attract businesses and working families to the area - Renovation and development of property on the Ingleborough Estate to attract working families back to the village - Relaunch of local services and amenities including the village shop and pub - New residential development

The Ingleborough Estate has a policy of letting cottages at below-market rents on the basis of full-time occupation, and for all appropriate properties, priority is given to families with young children. Over the last year, 2 cottages have been rented to young families, one family has been rehoused, and a further family will be moving in during May. The estate sees the school as important for encouraging young families into the area.

Both Craven District Council and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have stated that the proposal to close Clapham Primary School runs counter to their aims. Their proposals focus on building more affordable housing, creating jobs, and improving access to key services to promote the area as a place for young people to live.

Whilst it is to be welcomed that the community and planning authorities in this area wish to encourage economic development including further housing there is no evidence that in the foreseeable future that the scale of this housing will lead to significant numbers of additional children on roll at the school to ensure its sustainability.

Whilst the impact on the wider economic and social sustainability of the community is an important consideration, the key consideration is to determine whether the proposal is in the best interests of children’s education.

Rural primary schools

Where proposals relate to a rural primary school designated as such by an order made for the purposes of Section 15 (Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA), a statement that the local authority or the governing body (as the case may be) considered Section 15(4) EIA.

Clapham CE VC Primary School is designated as a rural school under the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order. The School Organisation regulations and guidance contain a presumption against closure of rural schools, and it is a requirement that proposers must consider the effect of the discontinuance of any rural primary school on the local community. The statutory guidance specifically states that ‘This does not mean that a rural school will never close, but the case for

closure should be strong and a proposal must be clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.’ The guidance states that when producing a proposal, the proposer must carefully consider: the likely effect of the closure of the school on the local community; • the proportion of pupils attending the school from within the local community i.e. is the school being used by the local community; • educational standards at the school and the likely effect on standards at neighbouring schools; • the availability, and likely cost to the LA, of transport to other schools; • whether the school is now surplus to requirements (e.g. because there are surplus places elsewhere in the local area which can accommodate displaced pupils, and there is no predicted demand for the school in the medium or long term); • any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the closure of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase; and • any alternatives to the closure of the school.

These are examined in turn below.

The likely effect of closure of the school on the local community

Please see the section above ‘Impact on the Community’

The proportion of pupils attending the school from within the local community i.e. is the school being used by the local community

There are currently 28 pupils on roll at the school of which 18 reside within the catchment area with 10 attending from other areas.

There are 32 primary aged children who reside in the Clapham CE catchment and attend a North Yorkshire maintained school.

As of October 2018, 14 primary-aged children in the Clapham CE catchment area travel to other primary schools. Of these, 5 go to Settle CE, 3 to Bentham CP, 3 to Ingleton CP, 2 to Austwick CE, and 1 to Giggleswick Primary.

Educational standards at the school and the likely effect on standards at neighbouring schools

The Outstanding rating at Clapham was given 8 years ago when there were 35 pupils on roll with an age range of 4-10. Since then the Headteacher, all the teaching staff, and most of the governing body have left. It is the view of LA advisers that this judgment no longer reflects the current position at the School.

The quality of what the School has historically offered is not in question. The County Council’s concern is over the school’s ability to maintain and improve quality in the

face of declining cohort size and budget deficits, and insecure leadership.

The availability, and likely cost to the LA, of transport to other schools If the school closed, there would be a potential additional cost to the Local Authority in providing transport to other schools. Free home to school transport would be provided for entitled pupils within the enlarged catchment area in accordance with the County Council’s Home to School Transport policy. The County Council’s Home to School transport policy sets out that free school transport will be provided to the catchment school or a nearer school to a child’s home address if it is over the statutory walking distances set out by law. This is:

•Two miles for children under eight years of age; •Three miles for children aged over eight; or •where the route to the catchment or nearest school is not safe to walk accompanied by a responsible adult.

If the nearest catchment or nearest school is full, transport will be provided, in accordance with the authority's transport policy, to the nearest school with places available. In this case, it is estimated that there would be additional home to school transport costs in the range of £18,000 to £38,000 each year, dependant on the pattern of parental preference to alternative schools, and the mix of transport provision that would be required.

Children from low income families (children entitled to free school meals or whose parent are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit) have additional eligibility criteria for additional home to school transport and details are available on the County Council’s website at http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/26071/School--- travel-support

Whether the school is now surplus to requirements (e.g. because there are surplus places elsewhere in the local area which can accommodate displaced pupils, and there is no predicted demand for the school in the medium or long term)

The latest forecasts are included in Section 4 of the report to the Executive 30 April 2019.

Clapham School Action Group have used a higher pupil yield and this is based on a commitment by the Ingleborough Estate, who are already landlords of a large number of houses in Clapham, to provide additional low cost rented housing to families with young children. They see this as a way of encouraging young families to move into the area and as such expect a higher pupil yield from those properties.

It is proposed that the catchment areas of Austwick CE VA Primary School and Bentham CP School are expanded to include the current catchment area of Clapham CE Primary School. The current pupil numbers and class structures of these schools are shown below.

Austwick Class 1 Class 2 Pupil PAN

numbers Reception 9 9 10 Year 1 7 7 10 Year 2 7 7 10 Year 3 7 7 10 Year 4 10 10 10 Year 5 9 9 10 Year 6 4 4 10 Totals 23 30 53 Austwick CE currently has a capacity of 56 but has potential to increase to 79 with some changes to room usage and their Published Admission Number.

Bentham Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Pupil PAN numbers Reception 7 8 15 25 Year 1 19 19 25 Year 2 14 14 25 Year 3 17 17 25 Year 4 16 16 25 Year 5 14 5 19 25 Year 6 23 23 25 Totals 7 27 31 30 28 123

There are 4 schools within 6 miles of Clapham School by road:  Austwick CE VA Primary School  Ingleton Community Primary School  Bentham Community Primary School  Giggleswick Community Primary School

Austwick CE VA Primary School  2.2 miles by road from Clapham  Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2011  Net Capacity 56 with potential to increase to 79 with some changes to room usage and their Published Admission Number.  51 pupils on roll  Forecast 70 pupils + 1 from housing by 2023/4  Published Admission Number of 10

Ingleton Community Primary School  4.7 miles from Clapham by road  Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2016  Net capacity 180  164 pupils currently on roll  Forecast 171 pupils + 20 from housing by 2023/4  Published Admission Number of 26

Bentham Community Primary School  5.5 miles from Clapham by road

 Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2016  Net capacity 147 with scope to be 210  123 pupils currently on roll  Forecast 107 pupils + 39 from housing by 2023/4  Published Admission Number of 25

Giggleswick Community Primary School  5.8 miles from Clapham by road  Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2017  Net capacity 90  66 pupils currently on roll  Forecast 63 pupils + 5 from housing by 2023/4  Published Admission Number of 13

It remains the view of the Local Authority that there are surplus places in the local area which can accommodate displaced pupils.

Any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the closure of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase It is not considered that there would be significant additional car use if the school were closed given the relatively small number of pupils. Some parents may choose to use their own transport but children in the catchment area are already travelling privately to alternative schools. 14 primary-aged children in the Clapham CE catchment area already travel to other primary schools, and 10 children attend Clapham CE who live outside the catchment area.

Any alternatives to the closure of the school

The Governing Body and officers from the County Council and Diocese have explored alternatives to the closure of the school. There have not been any offers from multi academy trusts willing to take on the school, and it is considered that there is no potential for the school to convert to academy status or to join a multi- academy trust because it would not meet tests of due diligence due to its small size. The fundamental issues of low numbers and insecure leadership remain.

Attempts have been made during autumn 2018 to broker a federation between Clapham School and other primary schools in neighbouring counties. Discussions progressed with several schools but were unsuccessful. To date, no other school has come forward that would be prepared to share a Headteacher or to federate with Clapham CE. Federation is a decision for individual school governing bodies and cannot be imposed by the County Council. Whilst collaboration between schools can enrich children’s educational experiences to some extent and lead to sharing of resources or services it cannot guarantee the security of a school, which has reached a critical level in terms of pupil numbers and associated budget deficits, without other forms of support or intervention.

Balance of denominational provision

Where the school has a religious character, a statement about the impact of the proposed closure on the balance of denominational provision in the area and the impact on parental choice.

Clapham is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. The LA is under an obligation to consider the impact on the proportion of church places before it determines the outcome of school closure proposals.

The nearest Church of England school, 2 miles from Clapham, is Austwick CE VA Primary School. There is also a Church of England school at Settle CE VC Primary School, 7 miles away.

The Diocese is supporting the LA with the consultation and given the availability of places at other local Church of England schools has expressed no specific concerns about the impact on proportionality of places in this area. Maintained nursery schools Not applicable

Sixth form provision Not applicable

Special educational needs provision

The existing provision at Clapham CE VC Primary School is not reserved for pupils with special educational needs. Travel Details of length and journeys to alternative provision. The proposed arrangements for travel of displaced pupils to other schools including how the proposed arrangements will mitigate against increased car use.

Eligibility for home to school transport will be determined in line with the County Council’s current home to school transport policy and procedures based on each child’s home address and individual circumstances.

Where a child attends a school which is not their normal school or a nearer school, parents are normally responsible for making transport arrangements.

Parents were and will be reminded of the County Council’s home to school transport policy when considering alternative schools. Pupils up to the age of 8 would normally be eligible for free home to school transport if they live more than 2 miles from their normal area school (or 3 miles for those over the age of 8). Parents can always express a preference for a school other than their normal area school however they would usually be responsible for making transport arrangements. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis taking into account the child’s home address.

North Yorkshire County Council’s Home to School transport policy states that

‘Transport will be arranged so that children will not normally spend more than 1 hour 15 minutes travelling to a secondary school or 45 minutes to a primary school. Journey times might need to be longer than this in some more rural areas and where road or weather conditions mean that these times are not practical.’ This is in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. The journey time for children living within the current Clapham CE VC Primary School catchment area would depend on which other school they attended and their home address. The nearest schools are Austwick CE VA Primary School (2 miles from Clapham CE School, approx. travel time 6 minutes), Ingleton Primary School (4.7 miles from Clapham School, approx. travel time 12 minutes), Bentham CP School (5.5 miles, approx. travel time 14 minutes), and Giggleswick Primary School (5.8 miles away, approx. travel time 10 minutes). The travel times to all these schools from homes in the Clapham CE School catchment area are well below the maximum travel time of 45 minutes for primary-aged pupils. Pupils would be eligible for travel arrangements from NYCC in line with the transport policy.

Procedure for making representations (objections and comments)

Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by sending them to Corporate Director- Children and Young People's Service, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, by 13 June 2019.

Consultation

The decision to consult on closure was taken by the Executive Member for Schools on 5 February 2019 following a request from governors. A consultation paper setting out the proposal was sent to parents of pupils on roll, staff at the school as well as other interested parties and individuals. A copy of the consultation paper and a list of the consultees is included in Appendix 1. The consultation period ran from 14 February to 4 April 2019. A public meeting was held at the village hall on 7 March, a note of that meeting is attached as Appendix 2. There have been 226 consultation responses received (Appendix 3). In addition there is a response from the Governing Body at Appendix 4, and a response from Clapham School Action Group at Appendix 5. A petition of 214 signatures was also submitted, supporting the Governing Body’s recovery plan.

Appendices Consultation Paper - See Appendix 1 of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report List of the Consultees - See Appendix 1 of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report Notes of the Public Meeting - See Appendix 2 of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report Consultation Responses - See Appendix 3 of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report Response to the consultation from the Governing Body of Clapham CE VC Primary School – See Appendix 4 of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report Response to the consultation by Clapham School Action Group – See Appendix 5

of the 30 April 2019 Executive Report