Morrison’s and Beaconhurst inmergerfor seniorpupils

Some families could now have to make a 40-mile round trip

Morrison’s Academy in Crieff and Beaconhurst School in Bridge of Allan are to create one independent school from the beginning of the 2018-19 school year.

Morrison’s will welcome 122 students from Beaconhurst when the Stirlingshire school shuts due to a decline in senior pupil numbers.

It means parents and students from Beaconhurst could be forced into a 40-mile round trip from their old building to their new facilities.

Neither the nursery nor junior schools in Crieff and Bridge of Allan will be affected by the changes.

Staff at Beaconhurst have been given no guarantees about their positions.

Those affected will be given an opportunity to apply for new jobs but redundancies are expected.

It is understood this will not impact the teaching staff at Morrison’s Academy.

Improvements will be made to the facilities in Crieff to accommodate the new arrivals.

Resources available at the senior and junior school will be improved, as well as an increase in the choice of subjects.

Landel Johnston, chairman of the board of governors at Morrison’s Academy, said: “This decision will create a substantial and wide-ranging independent school for the whole region.

“Once the idea became a possibility, there was a real excitement about what a larger school could mean.”

Transition support will be offered to parents and pupils from Beaconhurst to help with the process. With the senior school closing, part of the Bridge of Allan campus is expected to be sold.

Outstanding funds will be passed on to the nursery and junior school, as well as developments to outdoor education at Morrison’s Academy.

This decision will create a substantial and wideranging independent school for the whole region

Morrison’s Academy in Crieff.