Parents 'devastated' by possible school closure

The proposed closure of a Surrey village school has left parents, pupils and staff "devastated", according to one pupil's mother.

Hattie Ward told the BBC it was "very sad" that St Mary's Church of England Infant School in Shackleford might close.

"A school isn't just a place for childcare, it's a central hub for community," she said.

Councillor Jonathan Hulley, cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning at Surrey County Council, cited falling pupil numbers as a reason for the potential closure.

"Schools receive money from central government based on the number of pupils they have," he said.

"This means that schools with a high number of vacant places have less money for staff, resources, equipment, extracurricular activities, to pay bills and to carry out maintenance work.

"Based on current figures and pupil projections for the area, the number of children on roll moving forward will be so low that the school cannot continue without putting the quality of education for the children at risk."

St Mary's has seen pupils drop from 81 in October 2021 to 44 by October 2024, he said.

Mr Hulley added the trend, which has been seen across the county, was driven by a "lower birth rate and families leaving Surrey as a result of the pandemic, Brexit and the cost of living crisis".

Ms Ward told BBC Radio Surrey she and her children had made lifelong friends through the now voluntary-controlled school.

"It's a workplace that staff have loved and a place of just historical significance and memories for a lot of people," she continued.

A spokesperson for the Diocesan Board of Education, which supports the school, said they were "saddened that the school is faced with this challenging situation".

"We recognise the concern this will cause among pupils, parents, teachers and the wider community," they added.

The spokesperson said pupils could be transferred to Puttenham Church of England Infant School if the closure goes ahead, which they said was the "best option in the circumstances".

"We will continue to work constructively with the school and the local authority on the next steps," they added.

The decision on the school's future will not be formally made until 7 July.

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