Education chiefs mull future of Perthshire’s smallest schools.

Major shake-up of schools estate in Perth and Kinross under way

Education chiefs are considering closing some of Perthshire’s smallest schools, it has emerged.

A range of options has been unveiled for primaries at Blairingone and Abernyte, which have just seven pupils each, and the 14-pupil school at Logiealmond.

Perth and Kinross Council is also weighing up the future of Forteviot primary, which was recently mothballed with five pupils.

The schools are among 10 under review as part of a major estates shakeup aimed at bringing rising costs under control.

The initiative, part of the council’s five-year transformation programme, looks at school building conditions, pupil numbers and occupancy rates.

Consultation meetings, which have so far been held at St Ninians, Braco, Greenloaning and Forteviot, continue this afternoon at Blairingone Primary.

According to consultation papers, the rural school has a capacity of 25, but just seven pupils.

Options, which will be considered at a consultation next week, include mothballing or closing the school and moving pupils to Fossoway Primary.

Other suggestions are to review the catchment area, which could lead to an increase in pupils, or simply do nothing.

Parents have been urged to attend talks at the school from 3.15pm. They argue the school is the last community amenity in the area and is needed to serve the rising population.

One dad said closure would be “catastrophic” for Blairingone and its surroundings.

Options for Logiealmond and nearby Methven primary are being considered together and will be discussed with parents at an event next week.

The five proposals include a review of catchment areas to establish whether rolls at both schools could be increased. If so, the buildings may be refurbished.

Another idea is to reduce capacity at Methven and keep Logiealmond open, while options for mothballing or closing Logiealmond and moving pupils to Methven are also being considered.

A consultation will be held at Chapelhill Hall, Logiealmond, from 3pm on Wednesday September 27.

The parent council has urged locals to make their voices heard. Local mum Claudia Massie said: “We are working very hard to ensure a secure future for this terrific school and will appreciate any support.

“The school provides an excellent education to all pupils but is also a vital feature of the local community.”

Abernyte Primary, which has a capacity of 44 but only seven children, is also part of the review. Options include closing or mothballing the school and transferring students to Inchture, and a review of catchment areas, which could allow Abernyte to stay open.

The council, which has stressed no decisions have been taken, is also considering a third proposal of keeping the status quo. A consultation on Abernyte will be held on Thursday October 26.

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We are working very hard to ensure a secure future for this terrific school and will appreciate any support. CLAUDIA MASSIE

Abernyte primary has only seven pupils and could be mothballed.