Hackforth and Hornby Primary School Faces Potential Closure Amidst Declining Enrollment

A village primary school is facing potential closure next year as its student enrollment has decreased to only eight pupils. Officers at North Yorkshire Council convened on Thursday and agreed to initiate a consultation process regarding whether Hackforth and Hornby Church of England Primary School should cease operations from 31 August 2025. During the council’s children and young people’s service meeting, it was observed that the school’s financial standing has been negatively impacted by a consistent annual reduction in the number of children attending. The consultation period is set to commence in November, lasting for five weeks, and a public meeting has been scheduled. Councillor Annabel Wilkinson commented that the council “values our rural schools and understand their importance in close-knit communities of North Yorkshire”. A report issued prior to the meeting indicated that officers had discussed proposals to allocate the Hackforth and Hornby catchment area among five nearby schools. These include four Church of England schools situated in Crakehall, Aiskew Leeming Bar, Kirkby Fleetham, and Catterick, with the fifth being Hunton and Arrathorne Community Primary. The council’s executive body is scheduled to review the feedback gathered from the consultation in January 2025. For the past decade, the school has consistently had 32 pupils or fewer. However, enrollment figures dropped to 19 in the 2021/22 academic year and have continued to decline further each year. In September, only eight pupils, including two new starters, were registered. These low numbers have had an effect on funding, and the report projects severe financial deficits.