Birth-rate will be impacted if rural schools keep closing- Norfolk MP
It's as Corpusty Primary School, near Holt, is set be transformed into a SEND school from next year
A local MP tells us the national birth-rate will impacted- if more isn't done to keep rural schools open.
It as the Synergy Multi Academy Trust is planning to shut in Corpusty Primary School by 2026, due to a lack of pupils.
The school has served the parish and wider community since 1881 and was identified by the Corpusty & Saxthorpe Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in April 2019, as 'a vital hub for local families'.
The Trust are investigating re-opening the school for Special Educational Needs (SEND) pupils for 2027.
"They have got to do it at some point"
Steff Aquarone represents North Norfolk in Parliament:
"The problem lies with the Government funding formula, which does not provide enough resources for rural schools and with the County Council who will not come to the table and talk about catchment areas.
"I've asked them year after year to look at Corpusty Primary's catchment area- so that is part of the problem.
"I've recently launched a petition from dozens of villages in Corpusty and the surrounding areas, who want to see that school stay.
"I've called on the County Council to halt this entire process here, until they have come to the table on catchment areas. They have got to do it at some point.
"At Corpusty pupil numbers are too low...for the School to remain open"
A spokesperson for Synergy MAT said:
“Many schools and Trusts are facing significant challenges due to increasing costs and a decline in the number of pupils in Norfolk, which is set to continue for at least the next five years. This picture is not unique to Synergy and is mirrored in schools across the County.
Options include reductions in staffing, alterations to management structures and reducing non staff costs wherever possible. We understand these changes may cause concern for staff, parents and pupils but our focus is on ensuring we continue to provide excellent teaching and learning across all Synergy schools.
The per-pupil grant made by the Government is the main source of funding for all schools and this means that year-on-year funding is set to decline as pupil numbers fall. Added to this, like all schools, we are having to bear increased maintenance and running costs, cuts to SEND funding and sustained underfunding within the education sector.”
In the past year, as part of the first phase of its transformation and financial stability programme, the Trust made £2m in savings but, unfortunately, more savings are required in the future.
At Corpusty pupil numbers are too low (31 pupils across 7-year groups) for the School to remain open, with the indicative intake for the next academic year currently standing at only four pupils.
Following a period of public consultation, the recommendation from the Trust Board is to amalgamate Corpusty Primary School, and an application has been sent to the Department for Education.”
"We are working closely with them to ensure parents are supported"
A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said:
"The decision about the proposed amalgamation of Corpusty Primary School rests with Synergy Trust and is currently awaiting approval from the Department for Education. National guidance requires that pupils from a closing academy cannot be automatically transferred to another school, so parents will need to apply for a new school place.
The Trust has already advised families to apply for alternative schools, and we are working closely with them to ensure parents are supported and that all affected pupils can access suitable school places".