A PRIMARY school in West Devon is set to move forward into a second phase of consultation on its future, which could result in its closure.

The Post has previously reported that in September, Devon County Council said it was, ‘with regret, consulting on the future of Sutcombe Primary School which may lead to a decision to close the school’.

The first period of consultation closed on October 20. A council spokesman said there had been 37 objections and one response in support of closing the school during this first consultation period.

The spokesman told the Post that the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for schools, Conservative Cllr James McInnes, had made a decision for the school ‘to proceed with the next stage of the consultation process’.

There are five working days before a decision from a cabinet member is actioned, to allow time for other members of the council to ‘call in’ a decision, should they wish to do so.

This five-day period was not due to to finish until after the Post went to press.

If Cllr McInnes’ decision is actioned after the ‘call in period’, the next stage will be a ‘brief notice’, with a four-week period for further responses.

An indicative timescale from the council shows a decision could be made on the future of the school in January or February.

The timescale also showed an ‘implementation date’ of Easter 2016. However, if the school was to close, the council spokesman said this would now happen in summer.

Explaining this change, he added: “The proposal was for closure at Easter. There are children at the school that will be taking their SAT tests in May.”

On the current situation of the school, he continued: “The acting executive headteacher finishes this term, so the school won’t have a headteacher from January. A full time headteacher will be required from January 2016.

“They are currently being forecast to be in deficit and it’s predicted that the defecit will increase because of the need to secure a headteacher. The deficit is likely to grow over the next three years and the school therefore is not able to set a balanced budget as a result of these extra costs.”

He said partnerships with other schools, and joining the local Bradworthy?Primary Academy had been looked into.

He added Cornwall Council had also been approached to see if any partnerships might be possible, but added: “All proved unsuccessful.”

If the next stage of the consultation is actioned, parent Becky Whinnerah said she would urge people to give feedback because ‘the school continues to be incredible’.

Refererring to pupils being able to talk to a scientist in Germany about a satellite launch, she added: “The standard of education and opportunities they are getting are second to none. It is really such an incredible resource for us all.”

Further information on the county council’s consultation on the school, including contact information, can be found at https://new.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/sutcombe-primary-school

The school has 22 pupils and the capacity to take up to 56. A county council spokesman told the Post previously that school governors had requested a consultation be held ‘due to a number of challenges currently facing the school, including a significant fall in pupil numbers in recent years’.

Pyworthy Church of England School also went through the consultation process before the decision was taken to close it.