THE governors of a small primary school have told their local education authority they want to start consultations on closing the school.

St Peter and St Paul, a Catholic voluntary aided primary school in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has 19 pupils on its roll, but this number could fall to as low as five by 2013 if the current trend continues.

Parents were told about the situation in June and warned that closure was likely unless more pupils joined the school.

The governors say they are concerned pupils do not have access to the full range of educational experiences, particularly learning alongside children of their own age.

At Key Stage 1, the low numbers are coupled with a gender imbalance, as there are no boys, while there is only one child in the reception class.

The school’s revenue budget will go into deficit in the next financial year with worsening figures the year after.

John Watson, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for schools, said: “We understand the problems schools encounter when numbers drop very low and understand what a difficult decision this must have been for the governors. We will do everything we can to help them through the process.”

Should the proposal go ahead, pupils would be accommodated in nearby community or other faith schools.

The consultation paper will be distributed to parents, staff and other interested parties, seeking their views on the proposal, on Monday.

If the school’s governing body decides to proceed with the proposal when the consultation ends in November, the county council’s executive will be asked to stop maintaining the school.

The Bishop of Middlesbrough will take the final decision.