Wiltshire, Shalbourne C of E Primary School, Proposed Closure

STATUTORY NOTICE

Wiltshire Council Statutory Notice on the proposed closure of Shalbourne C of E Primary School, Kingston Road, Shalbourne, Wiltshire, SN8 3QH.

Notice is given in accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) and Regulation 12(1) of the School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013 that Wiltshire Council intends to discontinue Shalbourne C of E Primary School, Kingston Road, Shalbourne, Wiltshire, SN8 3QH on 30 April 2024 which is a voluntary controlled school.

The proposal also includes revised school catchment area arrangements that would apply, in the event of closure, from 1 September 2025.

Shalbourne C of E Primary School is designated as a rural under the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order 2022 therefore as required by the Section 15(4) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) the Local Authority confirms that it has made the appropriate considerations.

Based on a Published Admission Number of eight per year, the school has a capacity for 56 pupils. However, pupil numbers at the school have been declining for several years with a recent significant drop to 5 pupils as at October 2023. As a result of the declining number of children on roll, the financial and educational viability of the school is now in question, with a projected deficit budget and no realistic prospects of recovery.

All children attending Shalbourne C of E Primary School at the time of closure will be offered places at alternative schools in the area.

Access to copies of the full proposals

This Notice is a brief extract of the full related proposals, which are available to view on the Shalbourne C of E Primary school website at www.shalbourne.wilts.sch.uk or on the Council's website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-consultations. A copy can also be requested by emailing SchoolOrganisation@Wiltshire.gov.uk or upon request from the school.

Comments on, or objections to, the proposals

Any person or organisation may object to, or comment on, the above proposal by sending them via email to: SchoolOrganisation@Wiltshire.gov.uk or by post to School Buildings and Places Team, Wiltshire Council (ref: Shalbourne), County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN within 4 weeks of the date of publication of this Notice, namely by 5om on 14 December 2023.

All statutory consultation requirements relating to these proposals have been complied with.

Signed:

Joanna Madeley

for and on behalf of Perry Holmes Solicitor to the Council

PUBLICATION DATE: 16 November 2023