Consultation on the closure of Ashleworth C of E Primary with effect from 1 April 2027

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What are we proposing for Ashleworth C of E Primary and why

Ashleworth C of E Primary is a 4-11 Church of England voluntary controlled primary school. The school currently offers 8 Reception places each year with a total capacity for 56 pupils. In May 2026 there were 15 pupils in attendance, however, as of 1 September 2026, there were no pupils on roll.

Families are choosing alternative schools in the local area, and the ongoing low numbers of pupils have limited what the school can offer in terms of a broad, balanced and effective education and an appropriate peer group. Social development of pupils is a key issue.

There are currently no pupils attending the school and the whilst the school employ staff there are no pupils to teach. There are only two Governors in place, including a new Chair, who stepped into the role in September 2026. Another new Governor is in place, and the Board of Governors are actively looking for more governors to support the school during this time.

An Ofsted visit in March 2026 (report June 2026) placed the school in special measures. Consequently, Ashleworth Church of England Primary School became subject to a Directive Academy Order (DAO), requiring the school to be transferred to academy status. However, a subsequent viability assessment identified a number of significant concerns, including the loss of all pupils from September 2026, the ending of the federation arrangement with Churcham Primary School, limited governance capacity and reliance on interim leadership arrangements.

As a result, Gloucestershire County Council concluded that the school was no longer viable and wrote to the Department for Education requesting that the Secretary of State revoke the Directive Academy Order. Revocation of the Order would enable the council to undertake the statutory process to consider the future of the school, including consultation on a proposal to close the school as of 1 April 2027.

What we will do to best support pupils at Ashleworth C of E Primary

All pupils who were on roll in May 2026 have now taken up places at other local schools. Gloucestershire County Council will continue to support these pupils in their new settings. There are no pupils currently on roll at the school.

What happens next?

You are invited to a drop-in meeting on Wednesday 14 October at Ashleworth C of E Primary School between 3pm and 6pm to find out more and to have your say on the proposed closure.

All the responses from people who attend the drop-in, send in response forms or complete the survey online will be put together into a report for the cabinet member for education and skills. She will then consider everything that people have said to help decide on the future of Ashleworth C of E Primary School.

If the cabinet member decides that the best option is to close the school, Gloucestershire County Council will publish a statutory notice with proposals for the school to close on the 1 April 2027. There will then be a further 4-week period for people to respond to the proposal before a final decision is made in February/March 2027.

How do I tell you my views

You are invited to attend an information drop-in meeting at:

Ashleworth C of E Primary School

The Green
Ashleworth
Gloucestershire
GL19 4HT

Between 3pm and 6pm on the 14 October 2026


You can also give us your comments by completing the attached questionnaire. This should be returned to us at:


Ashleworth C of E Primary Proposal
Education, Planning and Development
Shire Hall
Gloucester
GL1 2BR

Completed questionnaires must reach us by 5pm on Tuesday 10 November.

Gloucestershire County Council has a commitment to protecting personal information. All answers will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection act.

What are we proposing for Ashleworth C of E Primary and why

Ashleworth C of E Primary is a 4-11 Church of England voluntary controlled primary school. The school currently offers 8 Reception places each year with a total capacity for 56 pupils. In May 2026 there were 15 pupils in attendance, however, as of 1 September 2026, there were no pupils on roll.

Families are choosing alternative schools in the local area, and the ongoing low numbers of pupils have limited what the school can offer in terms of a broad, balanced and effective education and an appropriate peer group. Social development of pupils is a key issue.

There are currently no pupils attending the school and the whilst the school employ staff there are no pupils to teach. There are only two Governors in place, including a new Chair, who stepped into the role in September 2026. Another new Governor is in place, and the Board of Governors are actively looking for more governors to support the school during this time.

An Ofsted visit in March 2026 (report June 2026) placed the school in special measures. Consequently, Ashleworth Church of England Primary School became subject to a Directive Academy Order (DAO), requiring the school to be transferred to academy status. However, a subsequent viability assessment identified a number of significant concerns, including the loss of all pupils from September 2026, the ending of the federation arrangement with Churcham Primary School, limited governance capacity and reliance on interim leadership arrangements.

As a result, Gloucestershire County Council concluded that the school was no longer viable and wrote to the Department for Education requesting that the Secretary of State revoke the Directive Academy Order. Revocation of the Order would enable the council to undertake the statutory process to consider the future of the school, including consultation on a proposal to close the school as of 1 April 2027.

What we will do to best support pupils at Ashleworth C of E Primary

All pupils who were on roll in May 2026 have now taken up places at other local schools. Gloucestershire County Council will continue to support these pupils in their new settings. There are no pupils currently on roll at the school.

What happens next?

You are invited to a drop-in meeting on Wednesday 14 October at Ashleworth C of E Primary School between 3pm and 6pm to find out more and to have your say on the proposed closure.

All the responses from people who attend the drop-in, send in response forms or complete the survey online will be put together into a report for the cabinet member for education and skills. She will then consider everything that people have said to help decide on the future of Ashleworth C of E Primary School.

If the cabinet member decides that the best option is to close the school, Gloucestershire County Council will publish a statutory notice with proposals for the school to close on the 1 April 2027. There will then be a further 4-week period for people to respond to the proposal before a final decision is made in February/March 2027.

How do I tell you my views

You are invited to attend an information drop-in meeting at:

Ashleworth C of E Primary School

The Green
Ashleworth
Gloucestershire
GL19 4HT

Between 3pm and 6pm on the 14 October 2026


You can also give us your comments by completing the attached questionnaire. This should be returned to us at:


Ashleworth C of E Primary Proposal
Education, Planning and Development
Shire Hall
Gloucester
GL1 2BR

Completed questionnaires must reach us by 5pm on Tuesday 10 November.

Gloucestershire County Council has a commitment to protecting personal information. All answers will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection act.

Page last updated: 01 Oct 2026, 01:28 PM