Tory Leader Warns of School Closures Ahead

Political sparring ahead of local council elections next May has begun after last nights West Berkshire Council executive meeting, when the Tory group raised the prospect of rural school closures.

The council is reviewing rural primary school viability and adjusting admissions because of a sharp drop in birth rates and pupil numbers. Primary pupil numbers across the district fell from 1,744 in 2013 to 1,435 in 2023, and nine rural schools had fewer than 10 new pupils enrol.

"Difficult decisions about the future of local schools apparently have to wait until the ballot boxes are safely packed away," said Conservative group leader Ross Mackinnon.

"Parents deserve honesty, not political convenience. If there are difficult decisions ahead, have the courage to tell people. Don't leave families in limbo because the timing might be inconvenient for the Liberal Democrats."

Lib Dem leader Jeff Brooks hit back. "We are always looking at the viability of schools," he said. "There is no rush to close schools ever. Whenever you see intake going down you look at the viability, and it takes at least two years for any decision to happen. The DfE [Department for Education] has to ultimately make these decisions, this is not a new thing. He is trying to make an election issue out of it."

Mr Brooks conceded low roll schools might federate and said, "When we need to consolidate, this will be fully consulted on," while confirming no determinations about closures have been made and declining to say when the review will conclude.

The Conservatives are demanding the administration explain why the review cannot be finished before May and publish a clear timetable for informing affected school communities.

"This is breathtakingly cynical," added Mr Mackinnon. "We don't know whether any schools will close, and that's precisely the point. Neither do the parents, teachers and governors whose lives could be turned upside down by these decisions."

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter