THREE Wensleydale schools whose future looked in doubt as they struggled with a severe financial deficit all look set to remain open, following a change in education funding.

The likelihood of the three Yorkshire Dales primaries – Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton – all remaining open looked unlikely last year. They were predicted a financial shortfall of up to £95,000 by this March and were also struggling with low pupil numbers.

Local education chiefs held meetings with the local communities last year to explain the severity of the situation facing the schools, which are federated under a single governing body.

Now further community engagement meetings are to take place with the governing body of the schools to explain the current situation and the options available.

All of the latest options involve keeping the three schools sites open thanks to a change in the government’s schools funding formula. But the county council has said the options do involve significant changes to the way in which the schools operate and will potentially reduce the number of class groups across the three sites in order to tackle the funding deficit.

Derek Walpole, the federation chair of governors said: “"I'm delighted that the Government's revised funding formula has enabled us to retain our three primary schools in Wensleydale."

If, as anticipated, changed arrangements are adopted which keep all three sites open, these will be implemented by the Governing Body with effect from September this year.

“The county council is committed to keeping village schools thriving whenever possible,” said County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools.

“We fully recognise the importance of children accessing quality education in their local schools and we are very pleased that we have been able to support the governing board to present a range of options which keep all three sites open.”

County Cllr John Blackie, local member for the Upper Dales, said: “I am delighted all three schools will be remaining open as they are at the very heart of the deeply rural communities they serve, although there will have to be compromise to deliver this very welcome outcome.

“But the governors will need to take on board the results of the forthcoming consultation to ensure the option taken forward will maximise the pupil numbers at each school, both now and in the future. All told this is an excellent result for the Upper Dales.”

The new funding formula for school was unveiled last year after a campaign by a number of rural MPs – including Richmond MP Rishi Sunak – who said rural schools lost out unfairly to urban schools under the old formula.

Schools in North Yorkshire were receiving up to £400 per pupil less than pupils in nearby urban authorities like Bradford and Middlesbrough.

As part of his campaign, Mr Sunak launched a petition in the Richmond constituency and arranged for Charlotte Harper, executive headteacher at the BAWB Federation, and several pupils to travel to London to help him present the petition to 10 Downing Street.

He said: “I am delighted that fairer funding has delivered this outcome in Wensleydale. It is precisely this sort of situation the campaign was designed to resolve.”

There will be local drop-in sessions on February 26 and the community engagement period will close on March 9.