Plans to close school 'closer'

Stoney Middleton has 21 pupils with places for 47

Controversial plans to close a Derbyshire primary school have moved a step closer.

Derbyshire County Council formally recommended the closure of Stoney Middleton Primary in Hope Valley at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The school has 21 pupils, with places for 47. The council said it costs too much to educate each child.

Parents sent thousands of letters to the council and also submitted a report in protest against the closure.

This school is at the centre of the village Dulcie Jones

A six-week public consultation into the closure will take place after Christmas.

If any objections are received, the case will go before the Schools' Organisation Committee.

One mother, Dulcie Jones, said the school offered a vital resource to the local community.

"This school is at the centre of the village. It is the only public building available to the village.

"The parish council meet in it, lots and lots of children's activities happen in it. The school is the community," she said.

'Falling numbers'

A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: "We carefully considered the comments made during the public consultation but we are recommending the school be considered for closure.

"We are currently spending significantly more money to educate fewer children at this school as pupil numbers are falling and this is taking away resources from other Derbyshire students.

"We do understand the emotions involved but believe this is the right thing to do in order for us to be able to offer the high quality of education that the pupils deserve."

He added the authority was urging the Church of England to do everything in its power to ensure the building would still available to the local community.