A PRIMARY school in York has come a step closer to closure.

City of York Council’s cabinet member for education, Coun Janet Looker, agreed yesterday to follow officer recommendations to close the 100-pupil Derwent School in Tang Hall and expand nearby Osbaldwick Primary School.

There will now be a six-week representation period, after which the council would consider all further views from parents and interested parties and decide whether to go ahead with the proposals which will go before a meeting of the full council in May.

Speaking as a member of the public, Coun Mark Warters asked for assurances that the closure was not the first step on the road to shutting the Osbaldwick School building at a future date. Pete Dwyer, head of children’s services at the council, said that was not the council’s plan.

Coun Looker said: “I never like having to close a school, but this is a case of closing a school with falling numbers and offering the site to Osbaldwick School, a school which is successful and popular, and giving them the opportunity to expand.”

Once the council has made a decision, any changes will to be made by September.