From humble beginnings, the school has become the heart of the village, seeing generations of Bentham residents opting to be part of a small but strong school community.

In 1908 a small school was set up above a cobbler's shop for children whose parents did not want them to attend the larger church school in Bentham.

A year later the county council came on board with the project and officially set up Low Bentham Community Primary School which would remain for the next 99 years.

The school has continued to use the original admissions book to enrol new children.

Thomas Nutter of Wenning Cottage, born in 1896, was the first child to be admitted to the school on November 5, 1909.

In total, 1,038 pupils have attended the school.

Low Bentham has always prided itself on being a small school providing a quality and well rounded education to its pupils.

In recent years smaller numbers has meant more one-on-one contact between pupils and teachers and all those involved with Low Bentham have been hugely proud of their tight school community.

In its last term Low Bentham had just nine pupils.

Ten-year-old James Close said: "I like being in a school where I know everyone. Here everyone is your friend.

"I can't ever remember when there has been a bad day at school actually."

Abbie Greenup, eight, said: "I love art and French and doing the productions every year. I will miss everything."

This high opinion of the school is echoed by all pupils, teachers and staff and the wider school community.

Lower school teacher, Nadine Precious, said: "The thing that sticks in my mind is the warm welcome I received when I came to the school from the kids and the staff.

"I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all help each other, laugh together, shed tears together – we are all a team."

Higher level teaching assistant Jenny Marchment added: "This is a unique and special school you will not find anywhere else."

Stella Wood, school administrator for 18 years, said: "There is no one at the school who will say 'that's not my job'.

"The staff and the children create a great atmosphere, so much so that we have seen children coming back as parents because they appreciate what we do here so much."

School trips are high on the list of the great times had at Low Bentham, including a memorable jaunt to Blackpool's Sea Life Centre where pupils almost lost Mrs Marchment to the gift shop.

Annual school productions have also been a time for celebration.

All children appear to be a big fan of school dinners and in particular cook Tina Jackson, who has been at the school for seven years.

She said: "The kids are fantastic. I just love joking with them and we have a great time together.

"My favourite memories are of Christmas. I would be making the Christmas dinners and I could hear them singing in the classroom.

"We will never have again what we have here."

Colleague and midday supervisor Sylvia Webb is the longest serving member of staff.

She said: "I was meant to stay for a week but I ended up staying for 21 years. I just love it here – the kids, the staff, everything."

Headteacher Vivienne Ayre said: "We have all loved working here, and working with the children. They are very parochial about their school.

"It is a sad day for the village, but it is unavoidable because of changes in the area."

North Yorkshire County Council has been working to create a new school for Bentham amalgamating both High and Low Bentham Primary. Despite their best efforts they have not been able to secure a site for the proposed school.

In January, due to rapidly falling roles, Low Bentham governors wrote to the council explaining they felt the school would soon no longer be able to provide quality education for pupils.

After consultation, the decision was taken to close. Work to identify a suitable site for the new school is continuing.

Following the closure, the catchment area of Low Bentham will be served by High Bentham Community Primary School, although five of the nine pupils at Low Bentham will make the move to Ingleton Middle School in September.

The school will be open all today, Friday, for parents and residents to come and look at displays of old photographs.

A ticket-only event will take place tonight for all those involved with the school community.

To get your ticket call the school on 015242 61416.