Skipton MP Julian Smith has secured a meeting with the Education Secretary to discuss funding for Upper Wharfedale School at Threshfield.

Mr Smith raised concerns about the future of bus services to the school and the impact of high demand for special-needs places.

Speaking during Education Questions on Monday, Mr Smith said: “I thank the Secretary of State for listening to North Yorkshire MPs about the sparsity factor in the schools formula.

“Will he meet me about Upper Wharfedale School, deep in the Yorkshire Dales, which is suffering from cuts in bus services for out-of-catchment parents and high demand for special educational needs places?” Education Secretary Michael Gove replied: “I would be delighted to meet my Hon Friend to discuss that school and its students.”

Meanwhile North Yorkshire County Council has postponed a controversial decision on proposals to slash its post 16-school and college transport and public transport subsidies.

Both matters had been due to be decided by North Yorkshire County Council at the executive meeting on Tuesday.

A spokesman said: “Due to difficulties providing the public with the report papers for the meeting via the county council’s website over the Christmas period, those decisions are now being postponed.”