Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to formalise the closure of two primary schools, both of which have had no pupils for some time.

The decision was taken following comprehensive consultation on both proposals with the local communities involved, as well as all other interested parties.

St Kieran’s Primary in Campbeltown, which has had no pupils since June 2010, will close with effect from December 22 2011.

Education provision at Ardchonnel Primary on the south side of Loch Awe, which has had no pupils since the 2006/07 school session, will also stop on the same day. 

Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for education and lifelong learning, Councillor Ellen Morton, said that the council had a duty to ensure that its resources are managed as effectively as possible.

“In order to do this we have to be ready to adapt to changing circumstances, including changes in pupil rolls and the demographics of particular areas,” she added.

“Both St Kieran’s and Ardchonnel have had no pupils for some time, so the council has taken the common sense decision to close them and concentrate our resources on the schools across Argyll and Bute which are occupied and which deliver top class education throughout the area.”

The council noted that the catchment area of St Kieran’s Primary overlaps catchment areas for non denominational primaries in the town which are unaffected by the closure.

In the case of Ardchonnel, the catchment areas of both Kilmartin and Dalmally primaries will be extended to include Ardchonnel’s current catchment area.

The decision to close the schools will now be referred to the Scottish Government, which has up to six weeks to review the decision-making process and decide whether or not they will call in the decision for further scrutiny.

Only when the six weeks have elapsed can the council implement the proposal.