A SMALL rural school could shut its gates next year after parents withdrew nearly every pupil following a damning and disputed Ofsted report.

Just two pupils turned up at Ravenstonedale Endowed Primary School for the start of the new school year in September, but have since left for other schools.

Council officials have now started the closure process for the 141 year-old school, which could now shut in April, if it gets the go-ahead.

However, councillors were at pains to point out that the closure could still be averted and that the decision to shut has not been taken.

It follows a damning Ofsted report after an inspection in April this year.

The school was labelled 'inadequate' and then placed in special measures.

In its report, Ofsted inspectors referenced allegations of 'racist, homophobic bullying and ‘serious instances of violence’.

But the claims were disputed at the time by the school's chair of governors Liz Morgan who argued that some issues had been 'blown out of proportion.'

Papers before councillors meeting in Kendal today (December 18) stated that in the year 2000, the school roll stood at a high of 65 but has declined ever since.

By September 2013, numbers had fallen to 26 and then dropped again throughout the 2013-14 school year.

Just two pupils turned up in September for the 2014-15 school year, according to council documents.

Due to the sparsely-populated nature of the Eden district - the most rural in England - council officials say there is little chance of enough children in the catchment area to keep it open.

A recent consultation on the potential closure - led to 23 responses. A total of 72 per cent agreed there is 'no viable alternative' than to shut its doors, although three said its loss would be a 'disaster/great loss' to the village.

Church officials, a vicar, local MP Rory Stewart, education officials and trustees of the school were among those taking part in the consultation.

Councillors discussing the issue today lamented the situation while Council leader Stewart Young said Ofsted had to 'take some responsibility' - claiming they drew conclusions 'based on the comments of a couple of children', who could also be 'easily identified by the report', he said.

"It's no surprise that the parents moved their children out," said Cllr Young. "But no-one should make any presumption (about its closure.)"

He also responded to national newspaper criticism of the authority for paying teaching staff to continue at the school despite their being no pupils to teach.

"They said it was outrageous - a school with no pupils and the council spending £100k to keep it open," said Cllr Young.

"What did they expect us to do? Sack all the teachers and end up in tribunals and a payout far greater than that?"

Cllr Keith Little told today's meeting it was 'very sad' that parents had decided 'for whatever reason - and it's their choice' to 'abandon' their local school.

Cllr Anne Burns added: "I wish this hadn't happened and I wish we could have resolved some of these issues and the school could have remained a vibrant part of the community."

"The parents have decided to go elsewhere and that has put this school under this threat - not the county council."

Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson told the meeting: "I think it's quite sad that we get to this stage with a small rural primary school. I appreciate the value and importance of small rural primary schools because I went to one."

But she emphasised that the decision to close had not yet been taken.

The council will now publish a legal notice warning of the school's impending closure, It would also mean the neighbouring Kirkby Stephen Primary School catchment area being broadened to absorb Ravenstonedale so that future pupils in the village and surrounding area can qualify to go there.