Alternative option put forward in bid to save village school

Councillor proposes ‘shared headship’ as way of preventing the closure of Blairingone Primary next year

A Kinross-shire school earmarked for closure could be saved by an alternative plan put forward by a councillor.

Education chiefs have provisionally said Blairingone Primary School will close its doors at the end of June next year, with pupils decamping to Fossoway from July 1.

However, councillor Mike Barnacle, an Independent representative for the Kinross-shire ward, believes there should be a “shared headship” for Blairingone and Fossoway that would keep the school buildings open.

In August, Perth and Kinross Council targeted the Kinross-shire school for closure because of its small roll – it has just five pupils and didn’t have any new starts this year.

The move followed council chiefs deciding to close Abernyte Primary due to its dwindling pupil numbers and examining the future of schools in Cleish, Grandtully, Logierait and Ruthvenfield, along with Pitlochry High School, as part of a five-year estates review.

The proposal to close Blairingone Primary School was met with disapproval from parents so council chiefs embarked on a consultation exercise with residents prior to coming to a final decision on the matter.

In a letter sent to Sheena Devlin, executive director of Perth and Kinross Council’s education and children’s services, which has been seen by The Courier, Mr Barnacle said he believes the move to earmark the school for closure was “premature,” stating it is the “only community facility” in the village.

“The village has lost a number of facilities over the years and now requires regeneration, not regression,” he said.

“The local community council use the school building and other public meetings can be held there.

“The council’s proposal suggests that most residents of Blairingone travel outwith the village for services and therefore closure of the school would not make that much difference.

“I disagree strongly with this statement and believe that the council should be promoting the sustainability of rural communities.”

Mr Barnacle’s alternative plan would see both Blairingone and Fossoway primary schools retained.

A council spokesperson said: “Perth and Kinross Council is fully committed to seeing education provision in rural schools enhanced and the school estate review process has allowed the council to engage with communities across Perth and Kinross.

“No final decision has been made on Blairingone Primary School. Councillor Barnacle’s letter was submitted during the statutory consultation period, which closed on October 5.

“All information submitted during that period will be reviewed and responded to as part of the consultation report, which will be published in January 2019 with a final report going to Lifelong Learning Committee on March 27 2019.”

The local community council use the school building and other public meetings can be held there. COUNCILLOR MIKE BARNACLE

Blairingone Primary School has just five pupils and is due to close next summer.