CAMPAIGNERS will hold a public meeting in Otley next week in a bid to save Farnley C of E Primary School.

The move by the More School Places for Otley – Keep Farnley School Open Facebook group follows a consultation held at the school last Wednesday.

That meeting allowed the governors – joined by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) officers – to explain why they were proposing the closure and to answer questions from the floor.

But the Keep Farnley School Open group insist the evening was "deeply unsatisfactory" and have arranged their own, alternative event at The Horse and Farrier in Otley at 7.30pm on Monday.

Listing their concerns, prospective parents and residents Helen and Ian Broadbent said: "The previous meeting was not promoted in the very catchment area it is supposed to serve and was held on the night of the Otley Cycle Races, meaning potential attendees were not able to attend or get there.

"The local authority attendees dominated the question-and-answer session and the meeting was poorly chaired.

"What was supposed to be a consultation was actually a communication of why the governing body thinks the school should close."

The school's governors, who have said they do not want to comment on the proposed closure, had listed the reasons behind their decision through a statement recently issued by NYCC.

Citing falling pupil numbers as their primary concern – only 16 attended last year – they also mentioned the school's financial position, education standards and the availability of secure leadership.

Those factors were explained again last Wednesday, but the Broadbents were dismayed not to hear any suggestions about how the school's fortunes might be reversed.

They said: "We heard so many reasons why the school couldn’t work and not one positive reason why it could.

"On the evening, the governing body and local authority representatives admitted there had been no strategy to attract new pupils... and were unable to give a credible answer as to why leadership for the school could not be secured.

"When pressed by the audience on the opportunities that existed due to the proximity to Otley and its overflowing primary schools, the NYCC answer was 'cross border' discussions could be difficult. Could you imagine running a business in this way?

"So a number of the attendees on the night have got together to see if there is anything we can do to have one last shot at saving the school.

"If nothing else we must make sure every option has been explored and, for the sake of other small rural schools, that the same mistakes and lack of leadership aren’t allowed to happen again."

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon), meanwhile, has warned if Farnley Primary shuts, as proposed, on December 31 it would have an unwelcome impact on Otley, where demand for school places continues to rise.