A North Yorkshire school has announced it is set to close next year.
Holy Family Catholic High School in Carlton near Selby plans to shut next summer, the academy that runs it says.
It is because student numbers are falling, leaving the school in “financial difficulties”.
The secondary state school, which teaches children between the ages of 11 and 16, is part of The Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust.
In a statement this evening (Monday) the trust said its directors and the Diocese of Leeds “have had to reluctantly consider the closure of the school on grounds of financial viability”.
“The reasons for the decision to close The Holy Family Catholic High School relate to long-term issues with low pupil numbers resulting in financial difficulties,” the academy said.
“There has been a significant decline in young people living near to the school and a lack of transport services to the school.
“Since funding for schools is awarded based on its pupil numbers, it is not possible for the school to continue operating, and to deliver the level of education that our young people deserve, beyond 31 August 2025.”
It takes pupils from across North Yorkshire. But “the school is based in a rural area where fewer families with young people are choosing to live”.
Other schools ‘more appealing’
Nearby schools with more reliable and frequent transport “are more appealing to prospective families”.
There are currently 298 pupils on roll out of an expected 425 at Holy Family.
The Department for Education has agreed that the school can begin the school closure process.
The school says it is working closely with North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Authorities to ensure that each child has a place at a new school by September 2025.
Holy Family School has a specialist resourced provision unit for pupils with autism. It also has a high proportion of pupils with special educational needs.
For parents of SEND children, review meetings are proposed to find “a school suitable to their needs”.
Meetings with all parents are planned to discuss arrangements for the future.
Holy Family Catholic High School was given a ‘requires improvement’ rating by Ofsted after an inspection in March.
The Diocese of Leeds’ director of education, Kieron Flood, said: “In recent years, the removal of services and funding for school transport to support access to faith schools has ultimately led to low pupil numbers at the school due to its location.
“The decline in numbers and consequent long-term budget deficits have caused significant challenges to the school, and it has become increasingly apparent that it will no longer be able to provide a high-quality full curriculum offer for all its pupils.
“Whilst no one would wish to close one of our Catholic High Schools, we must be realistic as we do not have any other options available.
“Consequently, the Diocese is working with the Trust, DfE and associated local authorities to ensure that families are supported in their transition to other schools in the area, in particular making families aware of other faith schools in the region.”
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