Parents’ anger at closure
Balhousie Primary debate
Former pupil of Northern District Primary School Dr Maggie Robertson Parents at Balhousie Primary School have questioned Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to close their school while keeping much smaller school Logiealmond open.
PKC’s school estates review came before the lifelong learning committee back in January when it was confirmed that 109-year-old Balhousie Primary will close, despite having over eight times as many pupils as Strathtay school Logiealmond.
The PA spoke to parents at the gates this week and Dr Maggie Robertson said: “I went to Balhousie when it was North District and I am horrified.
“I’m worried it will become flats like Caledonian Road school, and who will benefit from that?”
Garry Cochrane shared in the anguish and added: “I am disappointed. My wife was the fourth generation of Balhousie pupils and I am surprised and shocked.
“I attended the consultation and felt then that the decision had already been made.”
Two public meetings are to be held as part of statutory consultation on proposals to move the current catchment area for Balhousie Primary School, which currently has 113 pupils as well as a nursery class, to North Muirton Primary School.
Local authority plans to combine the two schools in a new larger North Muirton Primary School have been discussed and it is hoped that by school year 2021-22 pupils from both schools will start in the new facility.
The proposal is part of the council’s transformation of the school estate to ensure that school buildings are fit for purpose.
The consultation period runs from Monday, March 19, to Thursday, May 17.
This includes a period of 31 school days.
The public meetings will be held at the North Inch Community Campus on April 24 and May 1.
Both meetings will begin at 7pm.
Those wishing to attend should register via the link on the council’s Facebook page.