The Church of England’s lead bishop for education, Stephen Conway, said there needs to be a cross-Government rural strategy, following a summit held at Lambeth Palace to look at ways to safeguard schools in the countryside.
The event included representatives from Ofsted, the National Farmers Union, the Prince’s Countryside Fund and council and education leaders from across England.
Bishop Stephen said: “We have been reassured that the Government has a presumption against the closure of rural schools, which is a positive foundation for the future.”
Last month, the Department of Education report on Running rural primary schools efficiently suggested primary schools share headteachers, acknowledging that this was difficult in some small schools where the headteachers also did a lot of teaching.
It also reported on problems the rural schools have with funding, having mixed-aged classes and getting discounts on equipment.
The bishop added: “We have also heard from a number of stakeholder organisations, as well as those who are working with schools and communities across the country, who are exploring innovations in collaboration and the use of new technologies to improve pupil outcomes.
“However, it is clear that these steps alone are insufficient, and an overarching rural strategy is now required for the issues facing our countryside communities to…
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