Parents 'devastated' by possible school closure in Surrey
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. Surrey County Council (SCC) has been approached for comment.
Falling pupil enrolment has been cited by the local authority as a reason for the primary school's potential closure.A consultation said that in October 2021 the school reception had 30 pupils with no unfilled places. This fell to 16 pupils and 14 unfilled places in October 2024. The SCC report said falling pupil numbers - something the council said was happening across the county – had been driven by a "lower birth rate and families leaving Surrey as a result of the pandemic, Brexit and the cost of living crisis".
'Place of historical significance'
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 a council meeting in early July.
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