School’s closure proposed

Campaigners fighting to keep Nottinghamshire’s smallest primary school open refuse to give up despite a recommendation for closure.

Parents and governors at Besthorpe Primary School have opposed possible closure plans since they were announced in February.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s cabinet meet on Wednesday to decide the fate of the school, which has only 14 pupils.

In her report, the cabinet member for children, Mrs Joyce Bosnjak, is recommending that the school should close in December.

The report says: “Closure would mean there would be inevitable disruption for pupils and staff but this would be short-term.

“This option would address the issues surrounding a declining primary school population in an area where there are a number of other schools.”

Mrs Bosnjak said keeping it open would defer closure for only a year or two.

According to projected figures, in three years the school would have only four pupils.

Mrs Bosnjak said the cost of educating each pupil at Besthorpe was more than three times more expensive than the average for the county.

By closing the school, the county council would save £155,514 a year.

Pupils will be offered places at Queen Eleanor Primary School, Harby. There is already a school bus to Harby, 5.7 miles away, and Besthorpe can be included on this route.

A member of the Friends of Besthorpe Primary School, Miss Kate Wood, of Moor Lane, South Scarle, said Mrs Bosnjak visited the school last week and gave a more positive view.

“If she is still recommending that the school closes that is very sad,” Miss Wood said.

Miss Wood, whose daughter Lizzie (9) attends the school, said they had done everything they could think of to oppose closure.

She said they would use money raised for the campaign to appeal against any closure decision.

“We will give it our best shot,” she said.

Miss Wood was disappointed that children who could potentially join the school in September had not been taken into account.

So far ten children have been put on an unofficial list and Miss Wood believed they would all start in September.

However, none are able to officially be enrolled because of the closure threat.