One village primary school closes every month - and 200 more to close by 2014

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Sep 2009

As many as 1 rural primary school a month is closing due to a dramatic fall in school rolls. This is the finding of reseach carried out be the National Housing Federation which represents social landlords and housing associstions and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

The information released under a freedom of information reuest has shown the true scale of the issues facing rural areas. With ana average of 13 schools closing every year.

They predict a further 200 schools could close by 2014 due to thew escalating problems of school rolls falling as families are priced out of rural comunities.

The problem which is driven by a lack of affordable housing for young local families to maintain the balance within villages.

Scott commented "The Emergent Joint Core Strategy's forced growth agenda will be yet another cause of the decline of rural villages.

The drive towards huge levels of growth in Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and to a lesser degree Brackley will only deprive rural areas of the much needed affordable housing projects.

This will all lead to further falling roles and the loss of essential facilities from Post Offices to Pubs and the closure of schools."