Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, approved the commencement of a consultation regarding the potential closure of Great Alne Primary School. This decision was made under the council's urgency procedure, with consent granted by Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The consultation is the first step in the statutory process for school closures, with a final decision expected in April 2026.

Great Alne Primary School Consultation

Councillor Wayne Briggs approved the commencement of a consultation regarding the potential closure of Great Alne Primary School. The school, located in the village of Great Alne, has faced declining pupil numbers and financial challenges despite support from Warwickshire County Council.

The report noted that pupil numbers have fallen from approximately 100 in 2020/21 to 21 in October 2025, and that the school's cumulative deficit was £246,915 as of 31 March 2025, and is forecast to rise to £496,001 by March 2027.

The decision was made under the council's urgency procedure because any delay caused by call-in would impact the ability to consult in sufficient time to complete this stage of the statutory process and consequently have implications the full statutory process by April 2026.

The consultation, which is anticipated to run from 3 November 2025 to 12 December 2025, will involve parents, staff, the governing body, relevant district and parish councils, and other local stakeholders.

The report also acknowledges the Department of Education's guidance which states that decision makers should have a presumption against the closure of rural schools, clarifying that this does not mean that a rural school will never close, but that the case for closure should be strong and clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.

Leah Adams, Head of Early Years & School Effectiveness, is the author of the report. Other people consulted and informed were:

• Nigel Minns, Corporate Board
• Sioned Harper, Legal
• Brian Smith, Finance
• Delroy Madden, Equality
• Helen Barnsley, Democratic Services
• Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Councillor Luke Cooper, local Councillor for the area.