A 223-YEAR-OLD village school with only 26 pupils is facing possible closure after its governors concluded that it is no longer financially viable.

Minsterworth Church of England Primary has suffered from falling numbers, and with funding based on a pupil-by-pupil basis, they say the future looks bleak.

A public consultation considering closure by the end of the year has now been launched by Glou­cestershire County Council and the Glouces-

tershire Diocese, with a drop-in event for parents organised for today (Wednesday, June 21) at the school.

Founded in 1794 with a grant from the Hawkins family to educate 20 poor children, the school was re-structured in 1863 when Rev Arthur Nettleship raised a subscription to build the rear classroom, with the large classroom added in 1869.

It currently has a capacity of 56 catering for four to 11-year-olds, but with no anticipated change in numbers in the near future, it would have a significantly smaller budget.

Last September just one new pupil joined the school, and an inspection by Ofsted last December found it was “requiring improvement.”

A county council spokesman said: “The governing body’s review has shown that due to these low numbers, there is not enough projected funding for future years and has reached the conclusion that the school is no longer financially viable.

“The council have therefore agreed to carry out a public consultation running for six weeks.”

A public consultation event will also be held at the school on Wednesday, June 28, from 3pm-6pm, attended by staff, governors, the Diocese of Gloucester and the council to answer questions and offer advice.

The council’s admissions team have already been in discussions with schools in the area about the possibility of taking additional pupils should the Minsterworth Primary close.

Cllr Richard Boyles (Con, Blakeney and Bream), the county council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The board of governors has asked us to look at closing the school because so few pupils want to go there. 

“Now I want to hear what local people, parents and staff have to say about it. We’ve arranged information events for parents and residents to find out more information about the proposals for Minsterworth C of E Primary.

“I hope local residents can find the time to complete the online questionnaire and give us their views.”

The consultation can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/minsterworth with physical copies also available from the school. The completed questionnaires must be returned to the council by 5pm on July 28.