Primary school closure approved
The closure of Trossachs Primary School has been rubber stamped by the Scottish Government.
The Brig o’Turk school has been mothballed since 2016/17 after the roll fell to an average of seven pupils in the preceding three years. By August 2016 it had fallen to zero.
Most children living in the Trossachs catchment area now attend Callander Primary.
It was announced this week that the Scottish Government has approved Stirling Council’s decision to close Trossachs Primary School with effect from June 28, or as soon as possible thereafter.
In April, the council’s children and young people committee considered the findings of a statutory consultation committee report and consultation report and approved a proposal to close the school.
As a result, the council informed Scottish Ministers of the proposal, instigating an eight-week period from April 25 where the Scottish Government would decide whether or not to call-in the decision.
Legislation allowed for any person to make representations either for or against the closure to Scottish Ministers within three weeks of Stirling Council taking their final decision. That period expired on May 15 with no representations having been received.
In a letter to Stirling Council, the Scottish Government stated: “Scottish Ministers consider that Stirling Council has fulfilled its obligations under the 2010 Act (Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010) and consequently have decided not to issue a call-in notice for this proposal.”
During the period of mothballing, the catchment area of Callander Primary School was extended to include the area covered by Trossachs Primary School. The two schools, which have had a shared headship since January 2008, had already worked very closely together over the years.
Prior to mothballing, Trossachs Primary pupils already participated regularly in events at Callander Primary, particularly in citizenship and sports activities, and the transition of children set to attend Trossachs Primary School to Callander Primary School proved successful.
While the educational argument for the closure appeared to have been generally accepted by the community, there were remaining concerns that the building could be lost as a community facility and discussions are ongoing.
Tory councillors on the Children and Young People Committee had previously asked that, should the building eventually be sold the proceeds be ringfenced for the current Callander Primary School and other educational benefits in the Trossachs.
However, other committee members had felt the move would set a precedent- and if any of the money was ploughed into the current Callander Primary it may be obsolete given there are ongoing discussions about replacing it.
Local Tory councillor Martin Earl said this week: “I am not surprised that the decision taken by the council has been ratified. Unfortunately there was no other realistic choice available.
“However, It is now extremely important that the council fully explores options for the building with the community. Should it end up being sold I firmly believe that the proceeds should be used to support the Trossachs area and pupils at Callander Primary School, where the children from the area now go.”