Rural Surrey village school could shut due to falling pupil numbers

But residents are continuing to raise concerns over a lack of transparency in how the decision is being made.

Surrey County Council has begun the formal process that could lead to the closure of St Michael’s CofE Infant School in Mickleham, Dorking.

At a leader’s decision meeting on March 18, councillors agreed to publish a statutory notice on plans to shut the rural school and merge it with Newdigate CofE Infant School, triggering a four-week public consultation.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mark Nuti, standing in for the leader, acknowledged local concern.

“No one likes to see any building closed, really, but when it’s a school and it’s the heart of a community and in a rural area […] I do have some sympathy with you and local residents here,” he said

“On the other hand, we have to look at what is best for the future of the children in and around that area.”

Falling pupil numbers

The council argues the school is no longer viable due to a steep drop in pupil numbers.

From 78 pupils in 2015, numbers have fallen by more than 77 per cent, with 17 currently on roll and as few as 10 expected by September 2026.

It says such low numbers would restrict curriculum choice, extracurricular activities and social development.

Across the area, there are also 193 unfilled Reception places, which the council says could accommodate displaced pupils.

As a rural school, St Michael’s CofE Infant School is subject to a presumption against closure.

However, the council says this has been addressed, arguing the school is no longer supported by its local community, with only two pupils currently living in the village (less than one mile away from the school).

Lack of transparency?

But campaigners say key evidence behind the proposal has not been made public.

Residents had asked the council to release a single, comprehensive evidence pack setting out alternative options, community-led proposals, and detailed impacts on travel, safety and children with special educational needs.

In response, the council refused, saying the full evidence base could not be published because it contains “pupil level information”.

Instead, it pointed to a consultation analysis already in the public domain and published only a summary of its findings, stating that all required factors had been “reviewed, analysed and carefully considered”.

Residents had urged the council to delay the decision until after local government reorganisation, so a new East Surrey authority could reconsider the plans.

The council rejected this, saying it must continue “business as usual” and warning that delaying could worsen financial pressures and risks to education standards.

Concerns over where pupils will go

Parents have also challenged assumptions about where children will move next.

Campaigners say families are not planning to send their children to Newdigate CofE Infant School, despite it being the proposed receiving school.

They argued there was therefore no practical transfer pathway at all.

But council officers said there are enough places across the district and that families can choose alternative schools, with support from admissions staff.

What happens next

The publication of the statutory notice marks the start, not the end, of the decision-making process.

Residents and stakeholders will have four weeks to submit further objections or representations before a final decision is made in June 2026.