Primary school closure off the table, trust says

An academy trust says it will not be reviving plans to close a village school and is sorry the consultation period was "unsettling" for families and staff.

Coastal Learning Partnership (CLP) scrapped plans to merge St George's in Langton Matravers, Dorset, with St Mark's in nearby Swanage last month following a backlash from campaigners.

After halting the consultation, it initially said there would be "no structural changes" before 2028, prompting further fears it could shut at a later date.

But in an update to parents on Thursday, the trust said it wanted to "reassure families" it would not "return to the proposal".

The two schools, which are just over one mile apart, receive the majority of their core funding from the government, based on the number of pupils enrolled.

But with pupil numbers falling, the trust estimates, if no action is taken over the next 10 years, it could have a deficit of about £3m.

In the latest update to parents, CLP chief executive Paul Howieson and chair of trustees Martin Copsey wrote: "We want to reassure families that we will not simply return to the proposal that formed the basis of the recent consultation.

"The feedback received, alongside subsequent discussions with key partners, has reinforced the need to take time to consider the position afresh.

"For the avoidance of doubt, that means we do not anticipate consulting in the future on the same proposal."

Parent and campaigner Lauren Malone said the news "brought a sense of relief", adding: "In the CLP's recent letter they have confirmed they will support us in promoting the school and I look forward to hearing what that support looks like.

"Our amazing community, parents and carers have rallied and are stronger than ever and we are excited to work with our wonderful school and the CLP to sustain what is unquestionably an excellent rural village primary school, which is inherently stable and has been for over a hundred years."

The trust said it would be consulting with Dorset Council, Salisbury Diocese and other key partners, including the Department for Education, to "review future options" but added it would not "speculate or pre-empt" what those options might be.

"We are sorry that recent weeks have been unsettling for some pupils, families and staff. Their wellbeing remains incredibly important to us," the letter added.