Entire primary school stays open to teach single remaining pupil

Ten-year-old girl receives a full education taught by several members of staff

Ings Community Primary and Nursery School in Skipton, North Yorkshire, is legally obliged to stay open with one pupil left (Google Street View)

A primary school facing closure has stayed open to teach the one student it has left.

The unnamed girl, aged 10, receives a full education at Ings Community Primary and Nursery School in Skipton, North Yorkshire, although no other pupils are enrolled.

The pupil is taught by a full-time teacher, a part-time headteacher, support teachers and a receptionist.

The situation arose after school governors decided in June it was not sustainable to keep the school open, leaving the establishment facing closure in December.

A final decision is set to be made by the North Yorkshire County Council next month.

There were 42 children enrolled at the school at the time the consultations took place, but 41 of the students moved to other schools in the area - leaving just one left at the start of the new term in September.

The school is legally obliged to stay open until an alternative place for the remaining child can be found.

The girl’s father told the Daily Mail: “I went to this school as did a lot of members of my family. I don’t understand why it should have to close.

“I can’t get my daughter into the school of my choosing, so I’m going to home school [her] when she has to finish here.”

“It’s very sad that a school is facing closure,” local councillor Andrew Solloway told the Yorkshire Post.

“But there’s only one child being educated. It’s obviously not very economical to have a school in this situation.”