Mothballed Lethnot Primary awaits new pupils to revive it

Angus already has one “mothballed” school, which allows for children to return if a rural area repopulates.

Lethnot Primary’s doors were closed last year in a move described as “regrettable” by Angus education committee councillors.

The local authority was forced into the difficult decision after the school roll fell to zero with the move of two P7 pupils to secondary school.

Elected members accepted that there was no option but to mothball the school, in the hope that other families with primary school-aged children might move into the glen.

At the time of the decision, former Angus headmaster and Brechin councillor Jim Houston said it was a shame to see Lethnot closed.

“I know Lethnot well and it provides a very good quality education in its own unique way, but schools need pupils – and a mix of pupils to ensure social interaction,” he said.

An update report in January indicated that the situation has not changed, and hints at a potentially difficult decision lying ahead for the council this year.

“Mothballing, rather than closing a school, gives the opportunity for it to reopen should circumstances change

Head of schools and learning Pauline Stephen states: “The term mothballing is used to refer to a temporary decision to close a school where the roll has fallen to zero.

“Mothballing, rather than closing a school, gives the opportunity for it to reopen should circumstances change,” she added.

Several of Arbroath’s primaries are being rebuilt, while there are new secondary schools for Forfar and Brechin.