The National Youth Agency: Comment - Saving village schools - and community spirit

Now you've just heard that your local school is going to close. The alternative - forced upon you - is a long and potentially gruelling daily journey into the nearest town, which might be very far from near. You can expect all the upheaval of starting a new school, along with extended hours and the obvious transport nightmare. As a young person on the road to exams and important decisions about your future, it's a big move riddled with pitfalls.

Sadly, the threat above is all too real for many children and young people in this country. Local authorities are finding it difficult to deliver the full curriculum entitlement in very small schools and the cost per pupil is significant. For that reason, many village schools do indeed face the possibility of closure. There are obvious impacts for both staff and pupils, as all are forced to look beyond - and perhaps even leave - their community. Closure of a rural, village school can affect everyone, can lead families to move away and can impact on other community services, ultimately decreasing the sustainability of entire communities.