The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Public to have say on ageing school estate.
Council says it can’t rule out closures as it takes a look at capacities in schools as part of massive review
A massive consultation has begun to look at the future of ageing, low-capacity schools across Perth and Kinross.
Council chiefs are preparing to go public with a wide-ranging review of all secondaries and primaries in an effort to bring rising revenue costs under control.
It is part of a five-year programme and will compare conditions of school buildings, pupil numbers and occupancy rates.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of closures but are also considering options such as shared headships and catchment reviews.
Schools which will be looked at the closest are ones running at less than 60% capacity.
The review was announced last August but is only now ready to go to consultation.
A schools spokeswoman said: “The council is meeting with head teachers, parent council and community council chairs and local elected members as part of activity on the first phase of this project.
“These preparations are being taken forward with a view to holding community events in August and September, which will inform the options appraisals intended for consideration at the lifelong learning committee in early 2018.”
Primary schools have been reviewed in local groups, based on the secondary they feed into.
The appraisal of each requires full public consultation, as well as feasibility studies and financial analysis.
The first wave of primaries being looked at are Abernyte, Balhousie, Blairingone, Braco, Forteviot, Greenloaning, Logiealmond, Methven, North Muirton and St Ninian’s Episcopal. Reviews for each of these will be reported back to councillors by December.
According to the most recent available stats, there are 10 schools running well below capacity (under 40%).
Abernyte Primary, built for up to 44 pupils, has the lowest occupancy rate with just eight children (in 2016). However, the building has an A-suitability rating.
No schools are over capacity, although several have an occupancy rate of 90% or more.
Over the next six years, the council is investing £145 million in the school estate, including new and replacement buildings.
We are looking at holding community eventsin August and September