Brancaster Church of England Primary Academy could close in January

A small village primary school could close in January, meaning its pupils will have to travel to another site five miles away.

Brancaster Church of England Primary Academy has informed pupils’ parents that the school will merge with the Docking Church of England Primary School from January 1, 2025.

A group of some of the concerned parents of the 24 pupils that attend the school will be attending a consultation at the school on Thursday evening.

The Department for Education will decide on whether to close the Brancaster site down.

The school’s trust, the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), has outlined the proposals as part of an agreed small schools strategy.

However, parents have said they have had “no warning” after receiving an email on Monday informing them of the proposals.

One parent told the Lynn News: “The way they have proposed this with less than three months is ridiculous, especially for the Year 6 pupils who are starting their SATS year and for SEN pupils who will not cope with such a short notice change.”

Another parent has said they have got support from the parish council to campaign to keep the school open.

Oliver Burnwood, CEO of DNEAT, said: “DNEAT are champions of small schools in Norfolk and have a strong track record of making them successful.

“However, we do need a minimum number simply to make them work and at Brancaster, we have fallen below this number and all signs are that numbers will continue to decline as part of a decrease in Primary pupils that is being felt in many areas of Norfolk.

“It is extremely sad and the decision to merge is taken in the best interest of children and not at all lightly. We feel children at Brancaster will receive a better education at a more sustainable school such as Docking.”

DNEAT said that in September 2025, the pupil population will decline to 17 as the Year 6 cohort leaves and no children living in the area join reception.

Mr Burnwood added: “ It is this shifting demographic that makes the very low numbers decline even further and become unsustainable at Brancaster.

There is no building of any significance planned in the area that would significantly increase pupil numbers.”