Reassurance given as primary school announces closure

Governors' decision made with support for parents on offer.

Leicestershire County Council is supporting parents to find alternative primary places for their children after Diseworth Church of England Primary School announced its intention to close.

Governors voted to close the school from the end of this academic year following the loss of staff, leaving it without any teachers and support staff for the start of the next school year.

The primary school was expected to have 35 children on roll for 2026/27, less than half of the 84-pupil capacity it can accommodate.

Diseworth Primary School has, for a number of years, not been financially sustainable due to falling pupil numbers and an increasing surplus of school places due to declining birth rates, an issue which has been experienced nationally by all primary schools.

All teaching staff have chosen to move to new jobs, and with the teacher notice period to leave at the end of the summer term being 31 May, there is no time to recruit any new staff.

Leicestershire County Council officers will be supporting parents to find alternative school places, with the council reassuring parents that there are more than enough available places locally.

A guidance document has been produced for all parents on how to apply for a school place, and a drop-in session will be held to support people in knowing the process on moving to a new school in time for the start of the year in late August.

The Diocese of Leicester has been informed of the governors’ decision to close the school.

Councillor Charles Pugsley, cabinet member for children and families said:

“This is a sad day for Diseworth CE Primary School but our team will work tirelessly to make sure every child has a school place for the next academic year. 

“I know the governors have worked extremely hard to make the school sustainable, so this will not have been an easy decision for them. I want to thank them and the school staff for everything they’ve done to try and make the school viable. 

“It’s absolutely vital that this county has sustainable and successful schools. Our school places strategy is working to do exactly this – making sure high quality school places are available in the right place at the right time.”

Any families who need support with applying for an alternative school place should contact the School Admissions Service by calling 0116 305 2070.

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Leicestershire County Council News - Monday, 22 June, 2026