A PUBLIC meeting held by the schools adjudicator on under threat of closure Horton-in -Ribblesdale CoE Primary School heard there were three possible outcomes.

The government appointed adjudicator can either uphold North Yorkshire County Council's decision to close the school, which has just 12 pupils, at the end of the summer term, to modify the decision, or to reject it entirely.

Adjudicator, David Lennard Jones, said he hoped to conclude his report at the end of June for publication in July, and invited further comments from anyone unable to attend last week's meeting held at the school until tomorrow(June 2).

The meeting, attended by parents and friends of the school, and interested parties, including councillors and representatives of Craven District Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, heard the decision to close at the end of last year had been made because of the low pupil numbers and the school's financial position.

There are currently 12 children on the roll, with little prospect of more joining, and in two or three year's time the school is likely to be facing a deficit.

Both the county council and the Leeds Diocese were concerned about recruiting teachers and the quality of education for the children, the meeting was told.

But Cllr Richard Welch, both a district and county councillor for the area, argued that the school was important for the village's economic and social well being.

And he referred to a meeting between the two leaders of the councils to discuss plans for a partnership with the national park to support rural communities, such as Horton, and the pivotal role of the school

"The district council and national park authority are in the process of developing a series of initiatives aimed at helping to retain our young people and encourage more young families to move to the area," he said.

They included access to employment through superfast broadband, the development of sites for affordable housing and the development of the Great Places to live project.

Having a primary school in the area was a key part of the decision making process for young families looking for somewhere to live, said Cllr Welch.

"The closure of the school at this junction will have a material impact on the effectiveness of the investment being planned by the district council in conjunction with the national park authority to enable rural communities like Horton to regenerate and once again become a balanced, thriving and sustainable community."

Fiona Durham, for the school governors, add also a parish councillor, believed there had not been a proper consultation and that a three year plan was in place which would deliver a flourishing school.

Dave Gallivan, resident and founder of Yorkshire Dales Guides said that all his employees were concerned about the future of their local school – not just Horton, but also Settle and Ingleton.

He said there was demand for good schools and children would come to Horton once their parents knew that it would be staying open and was being given the opportunity to flourish, and he asked that the school be given five-years to prove itself.

Hannah Rose of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust talked about the work the charity was doing with the school, which they thought was a growing, valuable resource.

She said it was an ideal base for outdoor education which could be used by other schools from other areas.

Comments can be sent to the adjudicator until the end of tomorrow to case officer, Tracy Vaughan, Bishopgate House, Feethams, Draughton DL1 5QE, or by email them to osa.team@osa.gsi.gov.uk