The social effects of the closure of village schools in Northumberland

Abstract

The closure of village schools is currently a matter of concern. Since 1945 almost two thousand of these schools have been closed in England and Wales. It seems likely that more will do so. It has been suggested that when its school closes a village 'dies'. Young people no longer want to live there, other services deteriorate and the community suffers. Evidence to support these statements is minimal. This study is concerned with the relationship between the village and its school. It traces the evolution of rural education and explores the concept of Community in a rural setting. The circumstances of village schools since 1945 are investigated in a national context, and in relation to the political philosophy of the sparsely populated region of Scandinavia. A study of a number of villages in Northumberland is included, with an analysis of the views of inhabitants on the contribution of the school to their social life. Over one hundred village schools have been closed in Northumberland since the Second World War, and the focus of the investigation is upon a sample of related communities in the county which have retained and lost their educational presence. The study is divided into 5 chapters. The general pattern of chapters consists of an introduction, exposée, case study and conclusion. The results of the investigation, together with recommendations, are appended.