Headteacher of Milfield First School fears others will close

Jul 27 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

THE headteacher of a school which closed its doors for the last time on Friday has warned that others will suffer the same fate.

Dave Vero was head at Milfield First School, near Wooler in Northumberland, which has been shut down due to falling pupil numbers making it no longer viable.

By its last day, the school had only seven full and two part-time pupils.

The situation there follows the closure of nearby Chatton First School a year ago, which was disbanded for the same reason.

And The Journal has reported on moves by governors at Eglingham First School to tackle falling numbers, threatening its future.

The situation in all three communities has been blamed on lack of affordable housing which has meant young families can not afford to live in them.

And Mr Vero warned more rural villages face losing their schools.

He said: “It is Milfield now but there are other places facing it.