MOVES to increase support for schools in rural communities have been welcomed by governing bodies in Ryedale.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has said it backs an appeal by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) for education chiefs to recognise the vital importance of primary schools to the life of rural areas.

Earlier this month members of YDNPA approved a motion calling on county councils, local education authorities and the schools’ leadership and management, to recognise the importance of primary schools, individually or networked with others, as a key contributor to the sustainability and future of rural communities and in particular the retention and attraction of young families within them.

The county has nearly 50 schools with fewer than 50 pupils - more small schools than any other authority in England.

NYCC said it has lobbied national government for better funding for the county’s schools and for small village schools in particular as the funding formula at base is tied to pupil numbers.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said falling rolls because of changing demography in rural areas, due partly to a lack of affordable housing for young families, means small schools face very tough financial challenges.

“The sustainability of rural schools is a responsibility and a commitment that all must share,” he said. “Education and planning authorities as well as central government – we all have our part to play.”

Jane Harper, chairman of Gillamoor Primary School, which has less than 30 pupils, said: “We are lucky to have an amazing community to support us and as a result it really holds the community together.

“As we have on our door, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Currently we have 29 very happy pupils, but with the ever increasing second homes or retired people purchasing properties in these areas we lack the children in our catchment.

“People can’t afford to live here so we are coping with dwindling numbers.

“Some of this could possibly be helped by better transportation provided by the local authorities so that children could be bussed to the outlying smaller schools. It is hard for parents if they are not given this choice due to lack of transport offered.”

“The great thing about a small school is that due to the relatively small size of classes the children get a much more personalised teaching plan with a high pupil to staff ratio in the classroom.

“At Gillamoor we still maintain a varied curriculum.

“Our children really enjoy their school and it would be a shame if the current funding policies destroyed this.”