A SMALL rural school could shut its gates next year after parents withdrew 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 .

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

However, councillors pointed out that the closure could still be averted.

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 Cumbria County Council's Cabinet stated that in the year 2000, the school roll stood at a high of 65 but has declined ever since. Numbers had fallen to 26 throughout the 2013-14 school year and just two pupils turned up in September for the 2014-15 school year.

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 to keep it open.

A recent consultation on the potential closure led to 23 responses. Seventy-two per cent agreed there is 'no viable alternative' with others saying its loss would be a 'disaster' to the village.

Councillors lamented the situation and council leader Stewart Young said Ofsted had to 'take some responsibility' for drawing conclusions 'based on the comments of a couple of children'.

"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 pay out far greater than that?"

Cllr Keith Little added that it was 'very sad' that parents had decided 'for whatever reason' to 'abandon' their local school.

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

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.