CLAPHAM school governors have met with North Yorkshire County Council and Leeds Diocese to discuss the school’s future following its recent reprieve from closure.

First on the agenda is to hire a full-time headteacher and identify the need for any further staffing support. Mike Ravey, the governors’ chairman, put forward a framework for delivering the recovery plan.

The Rev John Davies has started the process of reaching out to other local schools to re-establish working relationships and potential future partnerships.

Iain Crossley, Community Action Group chairman said: “We are looking forward to working with the governors to rebuild confidence in the school and set it on course for a long-term future. The council approved the 4-year recovery plan and we recognise it will take time to establish the school on a sustainable footing.

"We have come a long way since the governors originally announced the proposed closure back in February. Plans are already in place to repeat the success of the community owned, award winning Clapham Village Store to offer breakfast clubs, after school sessions and early-years provision."

The Community has set up an Educational Fund to support Clapham Primary School. The fund will ensure Clapham Primary School continues to thrive for the foreseeable future. The Friends of Clapham School gathered together in the Goat Gap Café in Clapham on Monday to appoint the trustees and to discuss how to raise more funds for the school.

Zoe Richardson, chairman Friends of Clapham School said: ‘We are grateful for all the support we have had from the community and the school governors for the benefit of local children. The school provides an excellent education for our daughter who benefits from the small class size and the close support for individual teachers.’

North Yorkshire County Council education lead, Cllr Patrick Mulligan urged Craven District Council to follow the example of the community campaign in Clapham and protect rural services to keep young people in the Dales.