Whitby's Eskdale School and Caedmon College proposed merger meetings - here's when and where they're taking place

The meetings at Whitby Pavilion are on at 12.30pm and 6.30pm and are part of the ongoing consultation on the plan, which would see Eskdale School and Caedmon College amalgamated, leading to Eskdale’s closure in summer 2024.

The governing board of the Whitby Secondary Partnership broke the news of the proposed merger in January, outlining three linked factors as the reasons – low student numbers, significant financial challenges at both schools and “an imperative to give the best education and curriculum to the young people of Whitby”.

Campaigners opposed to the merger proposal are planning to meet prior to the evening consultation.

They are gathering at 5.45pm at Clara’s on West Cliff before walking down to the meeting together.

Those attending are encouraged to bring placards and banners and parent Emma Wilcock plans to share a poster on the Keep Choice in Whitby and Save Eskdale Facebook group.

Emma, whose daughter is in Year 8 at Caedmon, said: “They’re doing things really fast given the enormity of what they’re trying to do.

“It’s just not fair, I’m going to fight them every single step of the way.

“The children need a choice.”

The consultation runs until March 31.

After it closes, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will consider the responses at its meeting on April 18, at which point it will decide whether to progress to the next stage of the statutory process.