Mothballing moves backed for small primary schools

Councillors have backed mothballing moves at two schools in the Scottish Borders where pupil numbers have fallen sharply in recent years.

Eddleston Primary closed its doors two years ago after its roll dropped from 24 to just four.

Permanent closure has been considered but education officers believe it could yet be reopened with new housing developments in the pipeline in the area.

Councillors agreed to support continuing to mothball the school for another year and also to mothball St Joseph's in Selkirk - which is projected to have no pupils by August this year.

A report to Scottish Borders Council's education sub-committee said that the catchment area for Eddleston Primary had been re-zoned to Newlands Primary in Romanno Bridge - about 12 miles (20km) away.

It said that there was no limit to how long a school could be mothballed but the recommended maximum was three years.

The report added that there was a "reasonable prospect" that the number of children in the area who wished to attend Eddleston Primary would grow.

On that basis it recommended continuing with the mothballing for another year.

Councillors also agreed to support moving St Joseph's Primary in Selkirk to the same status.

It is projected to have no pupils at all by August and the nearest alternative Roman Catholic school is about six miles (10km) away in Galashiels.

The primary has a capacity for 50 children but has been operating with numbers far below that level.

The sub-committee backed mothballing the school with a review to be carried out annually to see if potential pupil numbers have increased.

The recommendations will be taken to full council before being ratified.