Governing Board of the Synergy Schools Federation and North Yorkshire Council Statutory Notice and Statutory Proposals
This would result in the technical closure of Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School as a separate entity, and the creation of a single four to 11 primary school on both school sites through the enlargement of Aiskew Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School.
Part one
Notice is given in accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE intends to discontinue Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School, Roman Road, Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9SG from 13 April 2026.
Part two
Notice is given in accordance with section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE intends to enlarge Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School, 2 Leeming Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9AU onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site at Roman Road, Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9SG from 13 April 2026. The current admission number for the school is 14 and the proposed admission number will be 15.
The proposal also includes revised school catchment area arrangements that would apply.
Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained by contacting us here.
Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by contacting us here by 5pm on 6 February 2026.
Signed: Chair of Governors, Synergy Schools Federation and B.Khan, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services), North Yorkshire Council
Publication Date: 12 January 2026
Statutory proposals
Proposals to amalgamate Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School and Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School
This would result in the technical closure of Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School as a separate entity, and the creation of a single four to 11 primary school on both school sites through the enlargement of Aiskew Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School.
Part one - Discontinuance (closure) of Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School
Contact details
Proposal published by North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, to discontinue Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School, 2 Leeming Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9AU from 13 April 2026.
Implementation
It is proposed to close the school from 13 April 2026.
The proposals contained in parts one and two are related.
Reason for closure
Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary and Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary Schools are part of the Synergy Schools Federation, which is a federation of six primary schools within North Yorkshire. The federation is governed by a single federated governing board and leadership is provided by an executive headteacher. The schools, which have adjacent catchment areas serving the Leeming area, south of Bedale, joined the federation in 2024 and 2021 respectively. Both schools have low numbers of pupils on roll. Aiskew, Leeming Bar has a net capacity of 103 places, with 47 pupils on roll in the May 2025 census, while Leeming and Londonderry has a net capacity of 56 places, with 24 pupils on roll in the May 2025 pupil census. Both operate similar two class structures that involve Reception and Key Stage 1 cohorts being educated in one class and Key Stage 2 children in other classes.
Following the incorporation of Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School into the Synergy Federation work has been undertaken to improve the quality of the education provision within both schools and the federated governing board have undertaken consideration of alternative models for the organisation of the schools to allow for further improvement in learning.
The federated governing board’s proposal regarding the closure of Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School forms part of a series of linked proposals which includes retaining the site for an Early Years Foundation Stage and a proposal for the school’s catchment area to be combined with the catchment area of Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School. This decision was taken because of the low numbers on the school roll, a desire to provide sustainable classes of similar aged children and because of issues associated with the transportation of pupils between the respective school sites. The federated governing board considered that the decision was necessary to ensure the continued provision of high-quality education within the federation.
Pupil numbers and admissions
The numbers (distinguishing between compulsory and non-compulsory school age pupils), age range, sex, and special educational needs of pupils (distinguishing between boarding and day pupils) for whom provision is currently made at the school.
As at October 2025, there are 25 pupils on roll at the school, of which 22 are of compulsory school age. Of the 25 pupils, 12 pupils are male, and 13 pupils are female.
- Reception
- pupils - 4
- published admission number - 8
- Year 1
- pupils - 5
- published admission number - 8
- Year 2
- pupils - 2
- published admission number - 8
- Year 3
- pupils - 3
- published admission number - 8
- Year 4
- pupils - 3
- published admission number - 8
- Year 5
- pupils - 4
- published admission number - 8
- Year 6
- pupils - 4
- published admission number - 8
Total number of pupils - 25
The school’s age range is four to 11 years, and provision is available for boys and girls. There is no boarding provision. Information on special educational needs of pupils is not provided as this would contravene the Data Protection Act.
Displaced pupils
There are eight other primary schools within the Outer Bedale school place planning area. The table below shows that there is a general surplus of places across the locality.
- Aiskew, Leeming Bar CE
- DfE number - 3001
- net capacity - 103
- NOR May 2025 - 47
- position 2026/27 - 49
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 56
- Burneston CE VA
- DfE number - 3337
- net capacity - 133
- NOR May 2025 - 117
- position 2026/27 - 137
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 16
- Crakehall CE
- DfE number - 3020
- net capacity - 106
- NOR May 2025 - 113
- position 2026/27 - 118
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - -7
- Hunton and Arrathorne CP
- DfE number - 2063
- net capacity - 70
- NOR May 2025 - 86
- position 2026/27 - 90
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - -16
- Leeming and Londonderry CP
- DfE number - 2040
- net capacity - 56
- NOR May 2025 - 24
- position 2026/27 - 26
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 32
- Leeming RAF CP
- DfE number - 2166
- net capacity - 280
- NOR May 2025 - 156
- position 2026/27 - 143
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 124
- Snape CP
- DfE number - 2133
- net capacity - 52
- NOR May 2025 - 30
- position 2026/27 - 25
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 22
- St Nicholas CE, West Tanfield
- DfE number - 3124
- net capacity - 70
- NOR May 2025 - 44
- position 2026/27 - 47
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 26
- Thornton Watlass CE
- DfE number - 3119
- net capacity - 51
- NOR May 2025 - 21
- position 2026/27 - 12
- plus and minus capacity May 2025 - 30
The council will engage with the parents of all pupils who are registered on Leeming and Londonderry’s roll and there is no intention to cease to use the school site under this amalgamation proposal.
Under the proposed new structure, all children would be registered at Leeming Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School, but the governor led nursery and Reception children would initially be taught in the Early Years Foundation Stage classes at the current Leeming and Londonderry site. Another three classes, consisting of Year 1 and 2 children in one class, Years 3 and 4 in another and Year 5 and Year 6 children in another, would be taught at the current Aiskew Leeming Bar site The single primary school would continue to be funded and supported by the local authority with staff employed by the local authority.
Pupils who transfer between the two sites will be supported through a managed transition process.
Impact on the community
There is no intention to cease to use the Leeming and Londonderry school site under this amalgamation proposal. The impact on the community is therefore likely to be minimal.
Rural primary schools
Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School is a rural school. The DfE’s guidance (Opening and closing maintained schools. Statutory guidance for proposers and decision makers, October 2024) notes that decision makers are expected to adopt a presumption against the closure of rural schools. However, the guidance confirms that this does not mean that a rural school will never close but that the case for closure should be strong and clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.
As noted above, the federated governing board’s proposal regarding the closure of Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School forms part of a series of linked proposals which includes retaining the site for an Early Years Foundation Stage and a proposal for the school’s catchment area to be combined with the catchment area of Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School.
It is not considered that there would be significant additional car use given that there is no intention to cease to use the Leeming and Londonderry school site under this amalgamation proposal.
Balance of denominational provision
Not applicable as Leeming and Londonderry School does not have a religious character.
Travel
The Aiskew Leeming Bar Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School and Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School sites are approximately 0.6 miles apart.
It is not considered that there would be significant additional car use given that there is no intention to cease to use the Leeming and Londonderry school site under this amalgamation proposal.
Eligibility for assistance with home to school travel will be determined in accordance with North Yorkshire Council’s Home to School Travel Policy.
All existing pupils who have eligibility for assistance will retain their eligibility subject to there being no change in their individual circumstances.
Procedure for making representations (objections and comments)
Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by contacting us here by 5pm on 6 February 2026.
Part two – Enlargement of Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site
School and local authority details
Proposal published by North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE to enlarge Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School, 2 Leeming Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9AU onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site at Roman Road, Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9SG from 13 April 2026.
Description of alteration and evidence of demand
It is proposed to enlarge Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School onto an additional site using the Leeming and Londonderry school site at Roman Road, Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9SG from 13 April 2026.
The current admission number for Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School is 14 and the current admission number for Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School is 8. The proposed admission number for the amalgamated school will be 15.
Objectives
Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary and Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary Schools are part of the Synergy Schools Federation, which is a federation of six primary schools within North Yorkshire. The federation is governed by a single federated governing board and leadership is provided by an executive headteacher. The schools, which have adjacent catchment areas serving the Leeming area, south of Bedale, joined the federation in 2024 and 2021 respectively. Both schools have low numbers of pupils on roll. Aiskew, Leeming Bar has a net capacity of 103 places, with 47 pupils on roll in the May 2025 census, while Leeming and Londonderry has a net capacity of 56 places, with 24 pupils on roll in the May 2025 pupil census. Both operate similar two class structures that involve Reception and Key Stage 1 cohorts being educated in one class and Key Stage 2 children in other classes.
Following the incorporation of Aiskew, Leeming Bar Church of England Primary School into the Synergy Federation work has been undertaken to improve the quality of the education provision within both schools and the federated governing board have undertaken consideration of alternative models for the organisation of the schools to allow for further improvement in learning.
The effect on other educational institutions within the area
There is not expected to be any effect on other schools, academies and educational institutions, other than those covered by these proposals.
Project costs and indication of how these will be met, including how long term value for money will be achieved
Capital Position
Capital investment is not included within the proposal.
Revenue Position
School budgets are funded largely by pupil numbers so amalgamating the schools would not lead to an increase in revenue funding. The combined revenue funding would be smaller because the lump-sum would cease for Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School following amalgamation, although transitional funding will be provided during the initial period of the amalgamation. Transitional funding protection arrangements allow for both lump-sums to be retained from the point of amalgamation for the remainder of the financial year that amalgamation takes place and provide 85% of the two lump-sums received in the next financial year.
Based on the amalgamation taking effect on 13 April 2026 (for instance, the start of 2026 to 2027 financial year) and other things being equal, the Governing Board has determined the optimum funding position, based on best estimates of pupil revenue funding for each financial year, the retention of lump sums for that financial year, the amalgamated school retaining 85% of their lump sums for the financial year 2027 to 2028 and split site funding being subsequently available.
Implementation plan
The proposals contained in parts one and two are related.
Under the proposal, the single primary school would serve the two catchment areas currently separately served by each primary school. For this reason, the catchment areas would be merged, with each extended to include the other. These arrangements would be implemented from April 2026 only in the event of the amalgamation restructure and we are consulting on this aspect of the proposal.
Consultation to date
The decision to consult on the proposal was taken by the Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills on the 11 September 2025. The consultation period ran from 22 September 2025 to 7 November 2025. A copy of the Consultation Paper, a note of the public meeting, and consultation responses are included within the report to the Executive of 16 December 2025.
Statement explaining the procedure for responses
Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by contacting us here by 5pm on 6 February 2026.
Publication Date: 12 January 2026