Council announces school closure

24 January 2008

Derbyshire County Council is closing Castle Gresley Infant School to reduce surplus school places.

The decision to close the school 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 6,600 places.

The school receives £5,467 to educate each pupil at Castle Gresley Infant School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,635 for infant schools.

Much of the school site is in very poor condition and would need significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.

The existing Castle Gresley catchment area will become part of the Linton Primary School catchment area.

Significant factors for the closure decision were:

  • In January 2007 the number of pupils in the school was 25, compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 66 per cent of places are empty.

  • By 2011 it is expected that pupil numbers will fall to 23.

  • Pupils already move from Castle Gresley Infant School to Linton Primary School at the end of Year 3.

  • Moving pupils will help address a 15% shortfall in the number of pupils at Linton Primary School.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “It is an exceptionally difficult decision to close a school and not one we take lightly.

“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.

“The buildings at Castle Gresley Infant School are not suitable for modern education purposes and would cost a lot of money to upgrade - meaning further unfair expenditure which we could not justify.”

Castle Gresley Infant School will close on 31 August 2008, with pupils offered a place at Linton Primary School for the 2008/2009 academic year.

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 also confirmed the closure of Apperknowle Primary School, near Dronfield, and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the county council’s plans to reduce surplus places.

(SB.22.08)

Derbyshire County Council is closing Castle Gresley Infant School to reduce surplus school places.

The decision to close the school 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 6,600 places.

The school receives £5,467 to educate each pupil at Castle Gresley Infant School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,635 for infant schools.

Much of the school site is in very poor condition and would need significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.

The existing Castle Gresley catchment area will become part of the Linton Primary School catchment area.

Significant factors for the closure decision were:

  • In January 2007 the number of pupils in the school was 25, compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 66 per cent of places are empty.

  • By 2011 it is expected that pupil numbers will fall to 23.

  • Pupils already move from Castle Gresley Infant School to Linton Primary School at the end of Year 3.

  • Moving pupils will help address a 15% shortfall in the number of pupils at Linton Primary School.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “It is an exceptionally difficult decision to close a school and not one we take lightly.

“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.

“The buildings at Castle Gresley Infant School are not suitable for modern education purposes and would cost a lot of money to upgrade - meaning further unfair expenditure which we could not justify.”

Castle Gresley Infant School will close on 31 August 2008, with pupils offered a place at Linton Primary School for the 2008/2009 academic year.

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 also confirmed the closure of Apperknowle Primary School, near Dronfield, and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the county council’s plans to reduce surplus places.

(SB.22.08)

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