A TROUBLED school labelled ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted has lost another seven pupils since the review was carried out.

Ravenstonedale Endowed School, in Eden, was examined in April and given a damning report which highlighted ‘instances of violence’ and ‘homophobic or racist bullying’ last month.

The report also revealed that the pupil roll had plummeted from 25 in March to 13 over the following six weeks – but now the school has only six remaining children.

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“We’re exploring all opportunities to look at the future of the school in a realistic way,” said Liz Morgan, chair of the governors.

“We feel upset about it.”

The children who have left have defected to other small village schools in the area, including Kirkby Stephen Primary School, Orton CE School and Sedbergh Primary, who all compete for children in the area.

Parents pulling their children out of the school are said to be anxious about the falling numbers and getting their children into another school.

But in an effort to lift the spirits of the few remaining children, they were invited by Farfield Mill Arts, Crafts and Heritage Centre’s chair Anne Pierson to take part in a day of art work on Monday (June 30).

Ms Pierson said: “We were expecting 13 pupils, however, after Ofsted’s recent exposure of the school inadequacies and parents already moving their children to other schools, numbers had fallen to just six.

“It’s just awful – they were lovely kids and so pleased to come and be valued.”

But the dwindling numbers has left the future of the school hanging in the balance.

Head teacher Vicki Boggan said she was unable to comment.