One of Whitby’s secondary schools could be in danger of closure if pupil numbers continue to fall, a former headteacher has warned.
There is currently a surplus of almost 500 places at Whitby School, which is split across the old Whitby Community College and former grammar school site on Prospect Hill, and the former Caedmon School site on the New Bridge.
If numbers continue to fall, exacerbated by rows over school transport schemes, former Eskdale School headteacher, David Bradley fears it could become unviable for the local authority to finance two sites in Whitby – while money is being spent on security and maintenance of empty schools and vacant sites.
Mr Bradley was the much-loved headteacher at Eskdale School between 1991 and 2005. The school has been boarded up since its closure in 2024 and controversial amalgamation.
He says money being spent on security of Eskdale, and other closed educational establishments across North Yorkshire, would be better served ploughed back into education provision.
Mr Bradley said: “They are paying for it to be secured, looked after and monitored. That is public money and millions of pounds.
“They say the buildings can’t be sold and money go to the general pot. I know from my work these things can be gotten around.
“The thing that annoys me is that councils constantly talk about the lack of money. They do have less money, that is true, but they are sitting on 15 schools and an outdoor centre. Buildings and land are worth a lot of money, you can flog them and it is as simple as that.
“We are not talking about them just being empty for two or three years, but decades. It is a waste of public money.”
Former Education Director for the Partnerships for Schools programme, a capital investment into schools scheme which ran from 2004 to 2009, Bob McGovern has also campaigned for Eskdale to be sold rather than left vacant.
He said: “For years, Whitby’s young people have paid the price. Three secondary schools were merged into one but spread awkwardly across two sites. The split site creates daily logistical problems, drains scarce revenue and diverts money that should be spent on teaching and improving standards.”
Education has been a talking point in Whitby since amalgamation of the town’s middle schools was first announced back in 2016. The plans were shelved following strong opposition from parents and the local community.
However, in 2023, North Yorkshire Council’s (NYC) executive committee voted unanimously to approve amalgamation of Caedmon College and Eskdale School, despite repeated opposition from both parents and councillors over provision and financial implications.
Mr Bradley said the amalgamation was a “dog’s breakfast” and a “tick-box” consultation.
It would have been better, he argues, to have had two smaller 11 to 16 schools for healthy competition and to drive standards of behaviour and academia.
Alternatively, a brand new school on the Eskdale site would be the best solution for secondary education in Whitby, added Mr Bradley.
He said: “It was an absolute joy to be the head of Eskdale School and it is heart-breaking to see it as it is now.
“The best option would be a brand new, purpose built school. It is away from town a little bit, access is better and safer than between two rows of houses and off a high level bridge, there are playing fields and the all-weather 3G pitch.
“In the short term, Eskdale should be sold, the money will be for Whitby children and to improve the facilities we have. That is the cheap and most expedient option.
“Since this whole mish mash it is hard to keep or attract staff, there are 497 surplus places and because of the current transport to school scheme, those numbers will go down again.
“If they do, the council could quite legitimately say we will move them all to the old grammar school site – and mothball Caedemon.”
NYC is considering the future of the Eskdale School site as part of its Local Plan Call for Sites in preparation for the authority’s Local Plan.
Landowners, developers and promoters were asked to suggest, back in 2024, sites for consideration and as part of this, there was also a comprehensive review of NYC’s estate to identify potential development opportunities.
Out of several hundreds of suggestions, a total of 47 sites were selected for further consideration, including Eskdale.
In Executive reports, North Yorkshire Council says: “If all, or some, of the 47 identified NYC-owned sites are allocated for development, they could significantly support the Council’s housing, employment and financial objectives.
“It is recognised that some of the sites being put forward as part of the Local Plan process (including those in the Council’s ownership) may be sensitive and give rise to speculation and concern from local communities about their potential future use.
“It is however important to note at this stage, that submitting these Council owned sites to the CfS does not mean that the sites will be taken forward for development or even shortlisted for inclusion in the Local Plan.”
Shortlisted sites are expected to be publicised towards the end of this year and a period of public consultation will follow.
