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Apperknowle Primary to close
24 January 2008
Derbyshire County Council is closing Apperknowle Primary School to reduce surplus school places.
The decision to close the school, near Dronfield, was taken by the county council’s cabinet as part of its plans to tackle falling pupil numbers.
There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years the number is predicted to increase by another 6,600 places.
The school receives £5,784 to educate each pupil at Apperknowle Primary School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,648 for primary schools.
Significant factors for the closure decision were:
In January 2007 there were only 24 pupils at the school compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 55 per cent of places are not being used.
Only four of Apperknowle’s pupils live in the school’s catchment area. Alternative schools will mean shorter journeys to school.
By 2011 pupil numbers are expected to drop to 19, meaning 64 per cent of places will be empty.
Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “Closing a school is always an exceptionally difficult decision to take and this was no different.
“We appreciate that many people will be unhappy with the closure because they have a strong attachment to their school, but we have a duty to provide the best possible education for all of our pupils and value for money for the taxpayer.
“Surplus places cost a lot of money and mean that there is less funding available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.”
Apperknowle Primary School will close on 31 August 2008. The normal catchment areas of Unstone Junior School and Unstone St Mary’s Infant School will include the existing catchment area for Apperknowle.
County council choice advisors will help parents if they decide to seek places for their children at other schools. Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.
A review looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:
Projected pupil numbers and surplus places
Condition and suitability of school buildings
Distance to the nearest alternative schools
Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area
Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation
Impact on the environment
Cabinet members also confirmed recommendations to close Castle Gresley Infant School and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the council’s plans to reduce surplus places.
(SB.21.08)
Derbyshire County Council is closing Apperknowle Primary School to reduce surplus school places.
The decision to close the school, near Dronfield, was taken by the county council’s cabinet as part of its plans to tackle falling pupil numbers.
There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years the number is predicted to increase by another 6,600 places.
The school receives £5,784 to educate each pupil at Apperknowle Primary School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,648 for primary schools.
Significant factors for the closure decision were:
In January 2007 there were only 24 pupils at the school compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 55 per cent of places are not being used.
Only four of Apperknowle’s pupils live in the school’s catchment area. Alternative schools will mean shorter journeys to school.
By 2011 pupil numbers are expected to drop to 19, meaning 64 per cent of places will be empty.
Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “Closing a school is always an exceptionally difficult decision to take and this was no different.
“We appreciate that many people will be unhappy with the closure because they have a strong attachment to their school, but we have a duty to provide the best possible education for all of our pupils and value for money for the taxpayer.
“Surplus places cost a lot of money and mean that there is less funding available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.”
Apperknowle Primary School will close on 31 August 2008. The normal catchment areas of Unstone Junior School and Unstone St Mary’s Infant School will include the existing catchment area for Apperknowle.
County council choice advisors will help parents if they decide to seek places for their children at other schools. Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.
A review looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:
Projected pupil numbers and surplus places
Condition and suitability of school buildings
Distance to the nearest alternative schools
Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area
Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation
Impact on the environment
Cabinet members also confirmed recommendations to close Castle Gresley Infant School and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the council’s plans to reduce surplus places.
(SB.21.08)
