End could be nigh for mothballed school

The potential closure of a primary school just outside Oban which has been unused as a school since 2014 is to be discussed at a council meeting next week.

The “mothballing” of Ardchattan Primary School was approved by Argyll and Bute councillors more than four years ago.

And a report to go before the council’s community services committee on Tuesday has said the best option is for the school to be closed completely.

If the closure is approved, Ardchattan’s catchment area will now be included in the area for Lochnell Primary, eight miles away.

Other options for the school, including reopening, continued mothballing and designation as a resource centre, were regarded as unreasonable.

The document to be considered by the committee says: “The school roll was very low and not predicted to rise in the near future.

“This continues to be the situation.

“There is very little support for the reopening of the school. Whilst the building is mothballed it continues to deteriorate.

“The community is very proactive and is planning a future for the building.

“Along with several other rural councils, Argyll and Bute is facing increasing challenges in recruiting staff.

“In October 2018 there were significant vacancies for both head teachers and teachers.”

The report says a meeting attended by 15 people was held in March, with the majority not in favour of reopening the building as a school.

It also says the cost of bringing the building to an acceptable standard to reopen as a school or resource centre is estimated at £190,000.