YESTERDAY it was announced that a school had been forced to make the “very difficult decisions” to close due to dwindling student numbers, so we searched through the archives to delve back in time to bring you images of the school during better times.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School in Thirsk, was given final confirmation on Tuesday January 25 from the Secretary of State that the school would close at the end of this year’s summer term.

Read more: School confirms it will close this summer after dwindling pupil numbers

The news came despite a recent conversion which the school says undertook a “significant amount of work.”

In a statement issued by the school on Tuesday a spokesperson for the Church of England school said the school had recently undertaken “a significant amount of work and invested resources to make the school a vibrant and positive learning environment.”

However, despite “their best efforts” the number of pupils has reduced.

According to the school, the requirement to combine classes due to the existing and projected low student numbers has created “too significant a challenge.”

The school says it will continue to “work closely” with parents and staff and the local authority to ensure they provide the support needed during the transition.

The spokesperson continued to stress that the school would continue to “provide a quality of education to all children at Baldersby St James” for the remainder of the year.

The full statement reads: “We have received final confirmation from the Secretary of State that the school will close at the end of this year’s summer term. This has been a very difficult decision.

“Since the conversion of Baldersby St James Primary School, we have undertaken a significant amount of work and invested resources to make the school a vibrant and positive learning environment.

“Despite our efforts, however, the number of pupils on roll has reduced.

“The requirement to combine classes, because of the existing and projected low pupil numbers, created too significant a challenge in providing the breadth of educational experience that our pupils require and deserve.

“That is the conclusion reached working in collaboration with both North Yorkshire County Council and the Department for Education.

“We will continue to work closely with parents, staff and the local authority to ensure we provide the support needed during this transition period.

Read more: Popular pub which was 'reduced to ashes' by fire confirms plans to re-open

“We are committed to continuing to provide a quality education to all children at Baldersby St James for the remainder of this school year, and we would like to thank all parents, pupils, staff and the local community, for their continued support.”

We’ve had a look through the archives to bring you a gallery of images of the school when times were better for the Church of England Primary school:

Take a look at the images below can you spot yourself?:

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. 11/06/2013Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. 11/06/2013

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school. Pictured (L-R) are pupils Romilly Scales (6) and Lottie Wright (7) dressed in clothing to represent the era. 11/06/2013Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school. Pictured (L-R) are pupils Romilly Scales (6) and Lottie Wright (7) dressed in clothing to represent the era. 11/06/2013

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school. Pictured (L-R) are pupils Romilly Scales (6) and Lottie Wright (7) dressed in clothing to represent the era. 11/06/2013Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school. Pictured (L-R) are pupils Romilly Scales (6) and Lottie Wright (7) dressed in clothing to represent the era. 11/06/2013

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James School fundraisrers - Older pupils Charlotte Parker, Gilly Thorne and Katie Utley, who volunteered to wash the car belonging to the highest bidder 27/05/2006Baldersby St James School fundraisrers - Older pupils Charlotte Parker, Gilly Thorne and Katie Utley, who volunteered to wash the car belonging to the highest bidder 27/05/2006

The Northern Echo: National School Meals Week - Merryn Rose , of Baldersby St James Primary School, has won a competition run to promote healthy eating. Merryn Rose with North Yorkshire County Councillor John Watson with fellow pupils- 10/12/2007National School Meals Week - Merryn Rose , of Baldersby St James Primary School, has won a competition run to promote healthy eating. Merryn Rose with North Yorkshire County Councillor John Watson with fellow pupils- 10/12/2007

The Northern Echo: Year 6 pupils from Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School with the cakes they made for Comic Relief – 13/03/2009Year 6 pupils from Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School with the cakes they made for Comic Relief – 13/03/2009

The Northern Echo: : PUPILS at a primary school completed their Victorianera education by performing a play for families and friends. The play, called We Are Not Amused; But We Hope You Are, was a retelling of the Barnardo’s story, written by the children of Baldersby St James’ Primary School. The performance, in St James’ Church, raised £151 for Barnardo’s and the school. 19/07/2011: PUPILS at a primary school completed their Victorianera education by performing a play for families and friends. The play, called We Are Not Amused; But We Hope You Are, was a retelling of the Barnardo’s story, written by the children of Baldersby St James’ Primary School. The performance, in St James’ Church, raised £151 for Barnardo’s and the school. 19/07/2011

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. – 11/06/2013Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. – 11/06/2013

The Northern Echo: Kitty Briggs, five, who has pledged eggs from her hens for Baldersby St James CE Primary School's silent auction of promises – 14/11/2011Kitty Briggs, five, who has pledged eggs from her hens for Baldersby St James CE Primary School's silent auction of promises – 14/11/2011

The Northern Echo: Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. Some of the pupils in the playground including Caitlin Fox (10, jumping). – 11/06/2013Baldersby St James Primary School, nr Thirsk - 1940's event at the school involving staff and pupils dressing in accordance with fashions of the era. Some of the pupils in the playground including Caitlin Fox (10, jumping). – 11/06/2013

------

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054