Steering group could be formed to shape future of education in Highland Perthshire.

Initiative to shape future of Highland Perthshire secondaries

A steering group could be launched to shape the future of secondary schools in Highland Perthshire.

It follows a community-led campaign to save Pitlochry High School when it was threatened with the axe last year.

Perth and Kinross Council had considered closing the school and moving pupils to Breadalbane, as part of a wider estates review.

The move was met with outrage from parents, and the local authority agreed to take the closure option off the table in March.

There were concerns the preferred option for Pitlochry parents – keeping the school open and introducing S5 and S6 pupils – would have a damaging effect on Breadalbane Academy in nearby Aberfeldy, which stood to lose about 50 to 60 pupils.

Next week, councillors will be asked to approve the launch of a Highland Perthshire Learning Partnership (HPLP) at a cost of £50,000.

The scheme will involve a closer working relationship between Pitlochry High, Breadalbane and Perth College.

Councillors will be asked to rule out an option to expand Pitlochry High with S5 and S6 groups, and another option to move S4 pupils to Breadalbane and review the Pitlochry school building.

A report to be brought before the lifelong learning committee on Wednesday states: “There are challenges to delivering senior phase education in Highland Perthshire, irrespective of the option chosen, due to the low pupil population and the rurality of the area.

“Significant work has taken place to explore alternative models... in general, there is support for the establishment of the HPLP which would see a more collaborative approach to education across Highland Perthshire.”

The report has been welcomed by Breadalbane Academy Parent Council.

Co-chairwoman Eleanor Laurie said she was particularly pleased that officers had decided against creating S5 an S6 years at Pitlochry.

Andy Charlton, chairman of Pitlochry High School Parent Council, said he would comment once the council had had a chance to pore over the report.

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Significant work has taken place to explore alternative models. COMMITTEE REPORT