Purpose

This
report informs the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory
consultation period in respect of the proposal to discontinue
(close) Calverton Primary School.
 
Cabinet is requested to consider the representations received
during the statutory consultation period including the decision
maker guidance and take a decision as to whether to proceed with
the closure of Calverton Primary School on 31 August
2026.
 

Decision

For the reasons set out in
this report and its appendices, Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree
to:
 
i) 
Approve the proposal to discontinue (close) Calverton Primary
School on 31 August 2026.
 
Alternatives considered
 

a) 
Local Authority officers continue the work with schools to ensure
that they are financially viable.

b) 
For Calverton Primary School, a range of options have already been
explored such as:

· 
reducing the school's published admission number;

· 
income generation opportunities;

· 
reducing staffing levels further;

· 
merging with another school;

· 
joining a multi-academy trust (MAT)

c) 
Unfortunately, given pupil numbers are expected to fall further,
none of these options will be successful or will help in recovering
the accumulated deficit.

d) 
Do nothing: This is not recommended as it would likely result in a
growing budget deficit, estimated to grow by around £0.6m per
annum. This is not educationally or financially sustainable and
does not provide best value when dealing with budget
pressures.

e) 
Cabinet could decide to delay its decision on closure. However,
should the school close later than the proposed date of 31 August
2026, the school’s financial position will significantly
worsen, impacting on the quality of education for its current
pupils and leaving an even bigger budget deficit. Any future
write-off of this growing deficit would fall to the Council's
general fund.