Future of Wraxall CofE Primary School
Following a formal consultation period (January – March 2026) the Department for Education has confirmed that Wraxall CofE Primary School will close at the end of this academic year (July 2026).
There had been plans for the school to remain open during the 2026-27 academic year so that the Year 6 pupils could complete their primary school education. However all pupils previous registered at the school have new school places from September 2026.
School staff will continue to prepare the remaining Year 6 pupils for their transition to secondary school and support will remain in place for school staff as they consider their next steps and employment opportunities.
Lighthouse Schools Partnership will continue to work closely with colleagues at North Somerset Council and the Diocese of Bath and Wells in regards to possible future use of the school site. As of May 2026 this is not yet determined.
Click here to view the letter confirming this decision from the Department for Education.
Information regarding the formal listening period
Lighthouse Schools Partnership, working with the Department for Education, opens a formal listening period regarding the closure of Wraxall CofE Primary School from September 2026.
Over recent years, the school has experienced a significant and sustained decline in pupil numbers. The number of children on roll has continued to fall (the school currently has 50 pupils on roll, and has a capacity for 105) and projections suggest ongoing declining birth rates in the local area, there are only 22 pupils in Reception to Year 4, which includes just one child in the Reception class this year.
This situation is placing increasing strain on our ability to provide a broad and balanced education to pupils and to sustain a vibrant school community. The Trust also has responsibilities to manage the school’s finances to ensure efficient use of public funds.
After careful review, including extensive conversations with North Somerset Council, Bath and Wells Diocese and the Department for Education, we now begin a formal listening period.
The listening period has now closed.
Update 28 April 2026:
We have been informed by the Department for Education that a decision will be made and communicated by the end of May 2026.
The timeline for this proposal is below:
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Monday 26 January |
Formal listening period begins |
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5.30pm Thursday 12 February 2026 |
Public Information Session at the Cross Tree Centre, Wraxall BS48 1BL.
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12noon on Monday 2 March 2026 |
Closure of listening period. All comments/feedback provided to the Department for Education. |
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End of May 2026 |
Decision on closure of Wraxall School expected from the Department for Education. |
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July 2026 |
If closure is decided upon: At the end of the school year Wraxall School closes to all pupils in current Years R-4. |
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July 2027 |
If closure is decided upon: Wraxall School closes final year group (Year 6) |
We will be hosting an information session for those in the local community (including current and prospective parents and local residents) who would like to ask questions about the situation. This was held on Thursday 12 February 2026 at 5.30pm.
We have also created a frequently asked questions document. Please take a look at this document before making a formal response to this proposal.
To ensure continuity for pupils who will enter Year 6 in September 2026 (current year 5 pupils) education provision will continue, at Wraxall School, for these children until July 2027 so they can complete their primary education before moving to secondary school.
This proposal only applies to Wraxall CofE Primary School, no other LSP school is being considered for closure as part of this listening period, and they will remain open, accepting and educating pupils as normal.
Listening Period
This begins on Monday 26 January and will end at 12noon on Monday 2 March 2026.
The listening period is now closed.
How to respond
The listening period is now closed.
Next Steps
Following the closure of the formal listening period the Minister for School Standards will consider the proposal and any comments received and then make a final decision on whether Wraxall CofE School should close and the date this will be effective by.
Current parents and staff will be written to directly once we receive the outcome from the Department for Education and we will also post an update on the LSP website. This expected around the end of April 2026.