ONLY a small number of children remain at Skipton Ings Community Primary School following a decision to consult on its closure.

The school, which in the summer had just 42 on its roll, and five in its nursery, despite being able to accommodate 180, was judged inadequate by Ofsted in 2013 and put into special measures. At inspections in 2014 and last year, it was judged as needing improvement.

A consultation carried out by North Yorkshire County Council, which proposes the closure of the school at the end of the year, closed on September 15.

A council spokesman said the majority of children still at the school at the end of the summer term were now at new schools.

"There are now only a small number of children remaining at the school and parents or carers are being provided with advice and assistance by county council officers as necessary."

The council Executive is due to consider results of the consultation at its meeting on October 17. If the decision is to go ahead with closure, statutory notices will be published and a final decision will be made by the Executive on December 5. It is proposed that the school closes on December 31.