A VILLAGE school threatened with closure will find out on Tuesday, May 24, whether it has received a last-minute reprieve.

Culham Parochial CofE School has been unable to appoint a permanent headteacher for three years, and, last December, Oxfordshire County Council started moves to close the 160-year-old school.

Now parents and governors say they have found a new headteacher prepared to take over from September, and secured a steady stream of new pupils. The issue will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on May 24.

Parent Kit Thomas said: “We feel we have pretty much answered all three major points put in front of us: securing a permanent headteacher, tackling the falling roll, and dealing with the budget deficit. We have now got pretty robust answers to all of those.”

Government inspectors have published their latest report on the 25-pupil school, which rated it as “satisfactory”, despite the lack of secure leadership.

Ofsted inspector Rodney Braithwaite said: “The school staff, in spite of some long-term sickness, have continued to give pupils a satisfactory education.

“Leaders have maintained a good standard of care and guidance to meet the needs of all pupils.

“Pupils enjoyed learning there, and the standard of behaviour was good.”