Balhousieschool decisiontobe confirmed

The decision to close a Perth primary school is expected to be rubberstamped later this month.

Earlier this year, Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee agreed to formally start a consultation into closing Balhousie Primary School.

The consultation has now recommended the Dunkeld Road school be shut in July 2022.

Pupils from the school and the school’s catchment area would then be moved permanently to a new build at North Muirton Primary School.

The new building for the larger North Muirton Primary School is expected to be opened in August 2022.

A report on the consultation was published at the end of last month and said the proposal will offer a modern, fit for purpose and fully accessible school which can be an asset to the local community.

Viewpoints from parents, carers, teachers, Education Scotland and members of the public have been collected for the consultation, and the local authority says this shows how children could benefit from improved facilities, learning and teaching, better outdoor space, improved early years provision and improved additional support needs provision.

Cllr Caroline Shiers, convener of lifelong learning at the council, said:“I want to be very clear that the final decision has not yet been taken on the future of Balhousie Primary School.

“The publication of the report allows parents and other interested people time to read and consider all of the responses to the consultation before a report is submitted to the lifelong learning committee on Wednesday, October 31.”

The consultation will be available for review by members of the public until Friday, October 19.