A VILLAGE in Craven could lose its primary school by the end of August after governors agreed to start a consultation process on its closure.

Rathmell Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School currently has just 19 pupils on the roll and - if it stays open - will have only 15 by the end of 2017.

The governors' decision has been backed by a North Yorkshire County Council chief, and there will be a public meeting to discuss the issue at the school on Thursday, March 2, starting at 6pm.

The governors said they have "very reluctantly" agreed to the consultation, but say that closure could be in the best long-term interests of pupils.

Their statement says: "We are not acting lightly, but rather following much deliberation and exploring of the full range of possibilities. The decision has been made unanimously by all governors, with the best interests of the children in school now and in the foreseeable future at the forefront of our thinking.

"The number of children at the school has been falling gradually over the past few years. There are now only 19 pupils on roll and this number is projected to fall to just 15 in September.

"In September there are forecast to be only four children in Class 1. Governors have recognised that it will become increasingly impossible to meet children’s educational and social needs even with the existing partnerships with other local schools in the cluster.

"Our decision has been taken with deep sadness and without pressure from either the diocese or the local authority, in response to financial and social factors beyond the control of any of us. We greatly value the support of our parents and local community, and look to work together for the best for our children in the processes towards closure.

"Governors and staff at Rathmell are very proud of the quality of education and the ethos of our school and are committed to celebrating and maintaining both."

Parents of children at the school contacted by the Herald said they did not wish to speak about the governors' decision yet as it was "too raw."

North Yorkshire County Councillor Arthur Barker, executive member for children and young people’s service, said the council, along with the diocese, was backing the governors' decision.

"Nobody likes to see the closure of a village school and the local authority works hard with its small schools to find sustainable solutions to keep them going, wherever possible," he said.

"However, our priority must be the children and their entitlement to continue to receive the highest quality of teaching and learning throughout their schooling.”

At the school's last Ofsted inspection in 2013, inspectors found that the quality of teaching was "good and at times outstanding. Pupils work hard because the learning is made exciting."

They also praised the school's "high levels of care and excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development."