A COUNCILLOR who had campaigned on behalf of a primary school attempting to leave a federation has voiced his frustration after governors refused to grant it independence.

The governors of Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton (BAWB) primary schools voted against allowing the school, based in Bishopdale, near Wensleydale, to leave the federation.

BAWB refused a first request made by parents and members of the West Burton community to leave the federation in July last year, and following another attempt by parents, BAWB have not altered its stance.

Cllr John Blackie, North Yorkshire County Councillor for the Upper Dales, said: “The BAWB board of governors has made a decision that flies in the face of compelling evidence that unless it allowed West Burton Primary School to de-federate it would be on a fast track to closing its doors once and for all.

"Bussing its youngest pupils to Bainbridge Primary School daily as part of the BAWB financial plan for West Burton School’s survival is proving very unpopular and this would be avoided if it became a stand-alone school again.

"My view is clear that this is a travesty of a decision recklessly made without thinking of the consequences, and I hold the board responsible for significantly contributing to the demise in the future sustainability of the communities served by the school and more widely in the Upper Dales, especially as they are already under threat by the flood of local young families with children voting with their feet to leave for good.”

He added: “The board had the strongest recommendation from the Local Education Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, to allow de-federation, it had firm pledges amounting to just under £100,000 over three years from residents in the area served by West Burton Primary School and beyond who were prepared to invest in keeping the school open.

Advising of the decision, Charlotte Harper, executive head of the three schools, said: “Our many and varied reasons for this decision are largely in line with those given when we made the original decision in July, though a detailed document containing our full reasons will be published within 10 days of today.

“We sincerely hope that we can continue to work together in the interests of our children and focus our energies on ensuring that we continue to deliver a high quality education for all our children.”