Great Gidding Primary School To Shut On 31 August

Following several months of consultation and debate, the decision has been made to close Great Gidding CE (VC) Primary School.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee agreed today (April 25) that the school should close on 31 August.

The decision was reached as the result of longstanding concerns about the future viability of the school – particularly falling pupil numbers and the financial problems associated with this.

Officers were concerned that the low and continually decreasing number of pupils at the school was adversely affecting its ability to provide the breadth of educational experience pupils are entitled to.

Furthermore, a number of local primary schools or multi-academy trusts who were approached to work with Great Gidding as part of a federation or academy have chosen not to do so because of their concerns about the school’s future viability.

As a church school the recommendation to close was made following close liaison and consultation with the Diocese of Ely.

The decision to close the school was reached after a wide-ranging consultation involving staff, children, parents and governors and trades unions, and the local dioceses.  

Additional consultees have included the local MP, local district and county councillors, neighbouring local authorities and nearby schools.

Parents of children displaced by the closure will be able to apply for a school of their preference.  The nearest alternative schools are in Sawtry along with spaces at other local Church schools for those seeking a school with religious character. In the longer term, a new all-through primary school is also planned for Sawtry, due to open in September 2024.

Councillors also agreed to approve financial help with home to school transport and uniform costs for eligible pupils affected by the closure.

Sawtry Infant and Junior Schools will become the designated catchment schools for children living in the villages currently served by Great Gidding CE (VC) Primary School. Children living in that area will be entitled to transport assistance to Sawtry because the nearest schools are in that village and they are further than the statutory walking distances for primary school children. 

The Children and Young People’s Committee also agreed to authorise a single payment to the parents and carers of all children displaced from Great Gidding as a contribution towards the cost of buying the uniform for their child’s new school.