Whitby Parents "Shell Shocked" By School Closure Proposal

Plans to close Eskdale School in Whitby are being opposed by some parents.

The Whitby Secondary Partnership is proposing to close the school in September and merge it with Caedmon college.

It's the second time in 7 years that proposals to close the school have been put forward.

Terri Anne Jones has launched a petition to save the school and says the campaign to save the school is gathering momentum.

The governors say the proposal is a result of low pupil numbers and significant financial challenges.

They say a considerable amount of the budgets is spent on maintaining the two sites when it could be spent on curriculum and teaching resources.

In a written statement the Governors say:

"At the end of the Autumn term following consideration as a Governing Board we decided to ask the Local Authority to commence a consultation process on our proposal to amend the structure of the Whitby Secondary Partnership. Our proposal to NYCC is that Caedmon College Whitby and Eskdale School amalgamate from 1st September 2023.

Amalgamation is a proposal to technically close one school (or more) and enlarge an existing school, to accommodate all pupils. The remaining school would retain its original registration number and age range. Our proposal would result in the technical closure of Eskdale School and the Eskdale site.

The newly amalgamated school is proposed to operate from the Normanby and Scoresby sites from 1st September 2023. There is an opportunity to rename Caedmon College Whitby as part of this reorganisation process and as part of the proposal this is something governors propose to do ahead of the amalgamated school proposed opening on 1st September 2023.

This consultation will involve both schools and that staff from both schools will be part of an enlarged staffing structure to fit the needs of the newly amalgamated school and to meet the needs of delivering a curriculum fit for the future.

The reasons for this proposal are three linked factors: low pupil numbers, significant financial challenges at both schools and an imperative to give the best education and curriculum to the young people of Whitby. Currently both schools are subject to a financial warning notice from the local authority and this limits any spending that can happen, a considerable amount of the schools budgets is spent on maintaining the sites when it could be spent on curriculum and teaching and learning resources to benefit the students education.

Before the consultation process begins approval has to be given by Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, the Executive Member for Education and Skills at NYCC and this decision is scheduled to be taken on Tuesday 7th February. If consultation is approved there will be an initial 6 week public consultation period during which all stakeholders will have opportunity to comment on the proposal and a public meeting will be held.

We want to express that this in no way has been an easy decision for the governors to make, and we do acknowledge that this can be a very emotive topic, however in order to ensure that we can deliver a fit for purpose education to the young people within the community for the generations to come we feel it is the right decision. It will be our priority to ensure that we support all staff and students through any change and will be sensitive with how and when information is presented. A newly amalgamated school will provide the opportunity to develop a broader curriculum, with far more choice over subjects to study and access to a wider range of experiences both in and out of the classroom that currently aren’t available to us.

We firmly believe that the future of the secondary provision needs to be able to adapt to the world around us and the climate that we find ourselves in given the financial constraints and instability that needs to be resolved in order for us to deliver on the quality first education Whitby children deserve.  

As is stated in the parent/carer letter we need to ensure that the current education we provide to our students remains at its highest, students will still be able to complete courses they have begun and work towards those final assessments in those subjects in both 2023 and 2024 and that we are focused on the current job in hand for the good of our students and the community.

Christina Zanelli/Su Crossland
Co-Chairs of Governors"

Terri Anne Jones has launched an online petition opposing the closure, she says the town needs two secondary schools.

Terri Anne says there is a sense of deja vu after similar plans were proposed seven years ago.

Whitby County Councillor - Phil Trumper - appeared to back the proposal for the merger in a post on social media.

Councillor Trumper said:

"On Wednesday 4th January I attended a meeting with the Education team at North Yorkshire County Council to discuss the decision by the Governors of Eskdale and Caedmon to request an amalgamation of the schools.

While I appreciate this is disappointing news for many, and may have come as a shock after local people and celebrities fought to keep Eskdale School open back in 2016, I feel it is unfortunately a sign of the times.

Many schools across the country are struggling to make ends meet, lower student numbers are an issue, this results in less funding but costs are rising significantly.

For example, on average the schools receive £6,970 per pupil, Eskdale School has capacity for 510 pupils but for the last two years has only had 458 pupils, therefore the school has a shortfall of £362,440 to cover running costs, pupils can also attract additional funding and with a shortfall of 52 students per head the school continues to fall short.

I am aware that many children will be apprehensive about the transition to a new school, they will be worried about their friendship groups and whether they will still have their favourite teachers. I have agreed to keep in touch with the schools, I have asked for clarity during the process of change and should this proposal go ahead the young people of our town will need support and reassurance during this uncertain time.

I have been aware for some time that the secondary schools in Whitby have been behind in attainment, while Caedmon College have strived to make improvements and are now only 2% away from the national average of 50% with a grade 5 or above in English and Maths, Eskdale School is at 36% which is unacceptable for young people seeking to gain a place in further education or secure employment in the future.

The new school will have a new name, a new ethos, but it is important that the best elements of both schools are retained and we ensure that our young people are offered the best education and best opportunities possible.

There will be a consultation period, if you have a child at either of the schools please take the opportunity to share your views about what a fantastic new school could offer."

This is the Coast approached Eskdale School and the Secondary Partnership for an interview last Thursday.

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