Whitby school closure plans move step forward

A final decision on whether to close Eskdale School is due in June. Credit: ITV News

Plans to close North Yorkshire's only remaining middle school have moved a step forward, after the county council decided to hold a public consultation over the future of Eskdale School in Whitby.

Proposals to shut the 11-14 school and amalgamate it with a larger secondary school in the town have already proven highly controversial, with 5,000 people signing a petition to keep it open.

North Yorkshire County Council's proposals would see Eskdale School close this summer, with its 300 pupils joining Caedmon College, which already has more than 1,000 children aged between 11 and 19.

Teachers, former pupils and parents have argued the move would mean there is no choice of secondary schools in Whitby, and pupils would suffer from becoming part of a much larger school.

The council's Executive Member for Schools, Councillor Arthur Barker today though decided to take the next step towards closure, with a formal consultation process.

Eskdale School was due to expand to take pupils from 11 to 16, but is now faced with closure.

The consultation period, designed to allow people to comment on their proposals, is now due to last around six weeks - before a final decision is made in June.

Parents leading the campaign against closure have said they will continue their fight to keep Eskdale School open.