East Huntspill Pre-School is set to close at the end of May due to falling pupil numbers and increasing costs.
An extraordinary general meeting was held at East Huntspill School on Wednesday evening (April 6th) where concerned parents gathered to discuss the situation, as pictured.
The school’s committee explained to parents that due to declining numbers and rising costs, they have no option but to close on May 27th unless many new children join over the next few weeks.
Parent Angela Fey, who attended the meeting, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I feel devastated that they have to close. I have sent all four of my children to this lovely, friendly pre-school.”
“The staff over the last six years have been fantastic and given them all a great start.”
“It’s a shame that local people do not support their village schools. There are plenty of children in the village but they are taken elsewhere to school.”
She said: “It’s particularly bad timing for my son, Josh, as he will only have half a term left before starting school.”
“Not only is this the time that they take new pupils into school to prepare them for September, but to start somewhere else for the remainder of the school year will unsettle him.”
Sara Puddy, Pre-School Administrator, said that the “very sad” decision had been taken due to low pupil numbers. Formed in 1969, the pre-school has 12 pupils.
However, she told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “All but two of the pupils are due to go up to primary school in September. OFSTED insists that we have two staff at any one time, but with just two children it won’t be viable. It’s a very sad decision to make but we have done everything possible to attract new children.”
