Falling numbers force closure of rural school

A RURAL school is set to close for good, a council has confirmed, due to plummeting numbers of children living in the county.

- By EMILY DALTON Local democracy reporter

The continuing fall in Surrey’s birth rate has been blamed for the closure of St Mary’s CofE Infant School in Shackleford, Godalming.

A rural hamlet, also crowned Surrey’s poshest village, Shackleford has a tiny population compared to its more urban neighbours.

Surrey County Council said “significant” changes to the population had forced the decision, adding that Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis and pandemic had contributed to “families leaving Surrey”.

The new lead for children’s services, Councillor Jonathan Hulley, said: “It isn’t an easy decision to make. No one wants to be responsible for closing any school anywhere.”

But Cllr Hulley agreed to give notice that St Mary's will close.

Matt Furniss, the councillor for Shalford, called it a “sad proposal” but it “reflects a growing situation in our rural schools”.