Island parents want council to review plan to mothball school

Parents at Skeld Primary School in Shetland have written to councillors urging them to reconsider its potential mothballing.

The school’s parent council also called on Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to conduct a “thorough review of the mothballing and unmothballing processes before making a decision that could irreversibly impact our children’s education and our communities’ future”.

A report on the potential mothballing will be presented to councillors on the SIC’s education and families committee on April 15, when it is expected a decision will be taken.

The Westside school was brought under consideration for mothballing due to its roll falling below a 20% capacity threshold last year.

Cullivoe Primary School was in the same position but councillors will be recommended to stop the process as a result of an expected increase in pupil numbers.

A report which went in front of councillors in

March said that as of November 2023 the projected roll for Skeld in 2024-25 was six pupils, at a capacity of 10% excluding reserved spaces.

An online petition against Skeld’s potential mothballing has attracted nearly 500 signatures.

Mothballing is when a school is closed to pupils but continues to be maintained and could be reopened if the roll increases to a certain level. There are already mothballed schools in Skerries, Papa Stour and Fetlar.

In a letter to councillors and the Scottish education minister, the Skeld parent council said it continues to have “strong opposition” to the potential mothballing.

The letter said: “We firmly believe that this decision not only undermines the educational foundation of our community but also contradicts the Shetland Islands Council’s commitment to supporting rural communities and ensuring equitable educational opportunities.”