THE future of three Dales schools is being considered after they were predicted a deficit of nearly £100,000 next year.

Community meetings are to take place outlining the serious financial situation facing the federation of three schools – Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton primaries – who are expected to face a predicted financial shortfall of up to £95,000 by March.

West Burton CE Primary joined the federation with a financial surplus in the hope of maintaining a secure financial future, but this has not transpired.

Parents at the primary claimed that joining a federation with Askrigg and Bainbridge primaries had disadvantaged its pupils and called for a meeting into the situation.

As a result, informal drop-in information sessions are being held in the three Wensleydale communities, where the financial and educational issues facing all three schools in the BAWB Federation will be outlined, along with the options available to them.

North Yorkshire County Councillor John Blackie said despite the worsening financial situation for West Burton primary, the school was still keen for all three to remain in the federation.

“These are pretty serious deficits,” he said.

“I was asked to stage a meeting in May as West Burton in particular was concerned about the situation - they had just joined the federation with a surplus.

“They joined because they thought by joining it would give them greater financial viability.”

Two options involve consolidating the sites by closing either one or two of the schools.

In the eventuality that two were closed, Askrigg CE Primary School would remain, being the only school with the capacity to accommodate everyone.

A third proposal involves maintaining all three schools and further sharing their resources by transporting pupils between the sites according to the school timetable.

Information sessions for parents will take place on October 4 and will be attended by managers from North Yorkshire County Council, executive headteacher Charlotte Harper, several governors and Fiona Beevers of the Leeds Diocese

The first session is at the National Parks Office in Bainbridge between 10am and noon, the second at Askrigg Primary School from 1.30pm until 3.30pm and the final session at West Burton Primary School from 5pm until 7.30pm. People can attend any they wish.