School closure raises fears for future of Orkney island
● North Ronaldsay residents worry about viability as population shrinks
Fears have been raised over the future of a remote Orcadian island after the last pupil left Britain’s smallest school.
Teigan Scott, 12, was the only pupil left at North Ronaldsay primary school, but now that she is headed to secondary school on the Orkney mainland, the school will close.
The closure has cast a shadow over the island, which is served by just two ferries a week – which are often cancelled due to the weather in the winter – and flights to the island’s tiny airport.
North Isles Councillor Kevin Woodbridgebelievesan“abysmal” sea freight service, as a result of an inadequate terminal facility, has left the community at a tipping point, and believes the school closure is another nail in its coffin.
Teigan had been the only pupil at the school for several years. She will now commute to Kirkwall Grammar School.
Her parents Maureen Johnstone and David Scott said they now have significant fears for the island’s future.
They and their three children – Demi-marie, now 23, Macsen, aged 16, and Teigan, 12 – moved to one of the Orkney Housing Association affordable houses in 2010.
“The population has gone down a lot in the seven years we have been here,” said Margaret.
“David and I are very apprehensive about what the future may hold and now there is noone at the school it just seems ominous and the first step in another decline.”
Teigan said she had enjoyed the experience of being at a single-pupil school and praised her teacher, Sarah Work.
She added: “It was quite interesting being the only pupil. There weren’t really any bad bits.”
A spokesman for the Orkney Islands Council said the classroom would be kept “on standby”, as it is part of a building housing a range of community facilities. They said: “The classroom will be kept on standby from August onwards and would be used as a school room again if a family or families with primary age children move to the island.”
Meanwhile, islanders are concerned about the wider future of North Ronaldsay, the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago.
Billy Muir, chairman of the North Ronaldsay Community Council, has hit out at the perceived lack of support from Orkney Islands Council councillors to pivotal issues, such as lifeline air and sea services and housing.
He said: “We are very worried as we are in a considerable dilemma. Services have alreadybeencuttonorthronaldsay; particularly with the flights which is very unfair.”