Rookhope Primary has effectively been closed since the end of last year.
An isolated primary school that has only five pupils registered will be closed at the close of August. This was confirmed.
Councillors approved the closure of Rookhope primary school within Weardale, Bishop Auckland, during a cabinet session on Wednesday.
The school has been shut since the end of summer 2023, as the students were taught in a separate school that is about 7 miles (11.2km) from the school.
Rookhope was saved previously from closing in 2016, when it provided 20 children with care.
There are only five students in its roster, it has the smallest number of students who are registered of any school in County Durham, and officials were informed that the school serves the area with the lowest population. area.
The school has not received any applications to the school’s Reception department for September 2022 or 2023, Durham County Council heard.
Councillor independent Chris Hood said the decision wasn’t taken “easily” however “unfortunately there’s nothing else to do”.
The closure of the school will help result in a savings of around PS128,000 annually, which will be better spent on other schools, he added.
Local Weardale councillor John Shuttleworth, Independent, stated that the school been a great help to the once thriving community however, the move was based on the best interests of families and children in the local area.
“It’s the exact thing that I’ve wanted but I’m sure the fact that children get a better education in St John’s Chapel,” said the pastor.
“It’s extremely sorrowful. I would like to believe that there will be jobs which will bring families together and it’s time to get another school, but for now, we’ll have to cope in the present.”
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Source: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/remote-school-five-pupils-permanently-170959285.html
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