ONE of North Yorkshire’s smallest primary schools looks set to close next Easter.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will make a final decision on the future of Hirst Courtney and Temple Hirst Community Primary School, near Selby, at the end of February after the number of pupils on its roll fell to just three.

The school can take 52 pupils, but numbers have dwindled over the past five years.

In 2012/13, 25 children were attending, but an Ofsted inspection last November said improvement was needed, particularly in teaching and learning.

A report by council officials said house prices are too expensive for young families and “a series of short-lived headteacher appointments” had affected school leadership.

The authority’s plan is for the catchment area of Chapel Haddlesey CE VC School – 2.7 miles away – to be extended to take Hirst Courtney pupils from next April.

But some parents and residents have said closure at the start of next year’s Easter break would harm the community, “fantastic” school facilities could be lost and roads to Chapel Haddlesey are dangerous and prone to flooding in winter.

There have also been claims a consultation on the proposals was a “foregone conclusion” and the school is suffering “a slow death”.

A report by Pete Dwyer, corporate director for children and young people’s services, said the school had no applications for reception pupils this September and there was no prospect of it having more than 14 pupils “in the foreseeable future”.

He said the school would struggle to attract a new head teacher in January.