A council said it would push ahead with plans to shut one of the smallest primary schools in the county. 

The governing board of Westcott Church of England (CE) School, with the support of Oxford Diocesan Board for Education (ODBE) and Buckinghamshire Council, has issued a statutory notice to close the school in Aylesbury.

If no objections are received by June 4, the executive director for children's services could take the decision to close.

The Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, will take the decision on the final outcome within two months of the end of the representation period.

If the decision is taken to close the school, it is proposed that this would take effect on August 31, 2024.

The notice asserted that the rural school, with capacity for 105 pupils aged 4 to 11, has been under-subscribed for several years.

Reportedly, as of October 2023, the school had only 34 students, with seven being in the Key Stage 1 phase.

The difficulties of the school have been catalogued.

Following an 'Inadequate' rating from Ofsted inspections in 2022 and 2023, along with high teacher turnover, many pupils left the educational facility.

The depletion in numbers led to funding challenges which have supposedly hindered the delivery of a "full and balanced curriculum".

"Based on these factors, and despite the best efforts of governors, staff and the support of the Council and ODBE, we are consulting on the proposed closure of Westcott Church of England School," Buckinghamshire Council stated.

The consultation ended on March 13 and one of the reasons for the closure was the falling number of births in Westcott village.

The lease on part of the school site ends in 2032 and the landowner has confirmed that they do not intend to extend the lease beyond its expiry date