Kilchrenan Primary School Consultation
Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal that education provision at Kilchrenan Primary School be discontinued with effect from 29th November 2024.
It is proposed to close Kilchrenan Primary School, and extend the catchment area of Taynuilt Primary School to include the current catchment area of Kilchrenan Primary School.
On 14th December 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal. This will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).
You can read the proposal documents here:
- Kilchrenan Primary School - Full Proposal Paper
- Kilchrenan Primary School - Proposal Summary
- Kilchrenan Primary School - Response Form
The consultation period commenced on 21st December 2023 and ended on 23rd February 2024. Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.
As detailed at Paragraph 12.5 of the Proposal Paper, and Page 3 of the Summary Proposal - a public meeting, to discuss the proposal, was held at 6pm on Thursday 25th January 2024 within Kilchrenan Village Hall.
Achaleven Primary School consultation
Achaleven Primary School consultation update – 8th March 2024
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the proposal to close Achaleven Primary School, the Council has now informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Details for submitting representations to Scottish Ministers are as follows:
By email - schoolclosure@gov.scot
By post - The Scottish Government, School Infrastructure Unit, 2A (South Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
The deadline for making representations to Scottish Ministers is 27th March 2024 (3 weeks from decision date).
Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee considered the findings of the statutory consultation on the future of Achaleven Primary School at its meeting on 7th March 2024 and approved implementation of the proposal to permanently discontinue education provision at Achaleven Primary School and extend the catchment area of Lochnell Primary School to include the current catchment area of Achaleven Primary School with effect from 31st May 2024.
The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal is the best solution to address the underlying reasons for its formulation, namely:
- Southend Primary School has been mothballed for over two years. The school roll is currently zero, and is not predicted to rise significantly in the near future.
- Along with several other rural councils, Argyll and Bute is facing increasing challenges in recruiting staff. As of the end of January 2024 there were 10.84 fte vacancies for both primary Head Teachers and Teachers in Argyll and Bute.
- Whilst the school is mothballed, the building is deteriorating with limited budgets for maintenance. The annual cost of the mothballing of the building is currently around £15,866.
Officers of the Education Authority have carefully considered all of the consultation feedback and reviewed the proposal to consider whether any of the representations led the Council to reconsider any other options as being reasonable alternatives to the proposal.
The Council has concluded that the educational benefits of the proposal far outweigh any potential disadvantages. Formal closure of the school will allow plans to acquire the building to be progressed by the local community and/or other interested parties, which in turn will increase the availability of the premises to the community and even benefit the sustainability of the community. The proposal will have a neutral impact on travelling arrangements, as these have been in place since the mothballing of Achaleven Primary School in 2021. The overwhelming majority of views gathered as part of this consultation were not in support of the school being re-opened for education provision. Education Scotland’s report is also supportive of the Council’s proposal being implemented.
Therefore, the Council has had regard to the points made at the public meeting, the written consultation responses and Education Scotland’s report. It thereafter carried out a review of the proposal and all the reasonable alternatives and has concluded that the proposal remains the best solution to address the reasons for the proposal.
Implementation of the proposal will allow children to have access to increased learning opportunities, wider experiences and better socialisation through being part of a larger school. If the school were to remain mothballed this would be a continuing drain on the Council’s resources. The proposal will assist the Council to deliver ‘Best Value’ through making more efficient and effective use of its resources. Furthermore, the Council will follow up on working with the local community and/or any other interested parties to explore options for future use of the school premises, should they wish to progress this.
The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal will allow children to have access to increased learning opportunities, wider experiences and better socialisation through being part of a larger school. The report produced by Education Scotland as part of the consultation process identifies clear educational benefits for current and future pupils living in the area.
If the school were to remain mothballed it would involve a significant annual capital expense which is a continuing drain on the Council’s resources. Implementation of the proposal will assist the Council to deliver ‘Best Value’ through making more efficient and effective use of its resources – including staffing resources as the Council continue to tackle the increasing challenge of recruiting teaching staff.
This notice is to inform interested parties regarding the decision made at the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the proposal to close Achaleven Primary School with an implementation date of 31st May 2024. This notice is available in accordance with Section 11A(3) of the Act.
Achaleven Primary School update - February 2024
In August 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to close Achaleven Primary School, and realign its catchment area.
Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The Consultation Report can be viewed here:
A decision on this proposal will be made by the Council’s Community Services Committee at their meeting on Thursday 7th March 2024. An update on the decision made in regard to this proposal at this meeting of the Community Services Committee will be made available here.
Achaleven Primary School consultation August to October 2023 - Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal that education provision at Achaleven Primary School be discontinued with effect from 31st May 2024.
It is proposed to close Achaleven Primary School, and extend the catchment area of Lochnell Primary School to include the current catchment area of Achaleven Primary School.
On 24th August 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal. This will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).
You can read the proposal documents here:
- Achaleven Primary School – Full Proposal Paper
- Achaleven Primary School – Proposal Summary
- Achaleven Primary School consultation – response form
- Achaleven Primary School consultation - Options Appraisal
The consultation period commenced on 31st August 2023 and ended on 27th October 2023. Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.
As detailed at Paragraph 21.5 of the Proposal Paper, and Page 3 of the Summary Proposal - a public meeting, to discuss the proposal, was held at 6pm on Wednesday 4th October 2023 within Achaleven Primary School.
Southend Primary School Consultation
Southend Primary School consultation update – 8th March 2024
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the proposal to close Southend Primary School, the Council has now informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Details for submitting representations to Scottish Ministers are as follows:
By email - schoolclosure@gov.scot
By post - The Scottish Government, School Infrastructure Unit, 2A (South Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
The deadline for making representations to Scottish Ministers is 27th March 2024 (3 weeks from decision date).
Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee considered the findings of the statutory consultation on the future of Southend Primary School at its meeting on 7th March 2024 and approved implementation of the proposal to permanently discontinue education provision at Southend Primary School and extend the catchment area of Castlehill Primary School to include the current catchment area of Southend Primary School with effect from 31st May 2024.
The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal is the best solution to address the underlying reasons for its formulation, namely:
- Southend Primary School has been mothballed for over two years. The school roll fell to zero as parents were choosing to place their children in schools outwith the Southend catchment area.
- The school roll is not predicted to rise significantly in the near future.
- Along with several other rural councils, Argyll and Bute is facing increasing challenges in recruiting staff. As of the end of January 2024 there are 10.84 fte vacancies for both Head Teachers and Teachers in Argyll and Bute.
- Whilst the school is mothballed, the building is deteriorating with limited budgets for maintenance.
- The annual cost of the mothballing of the building is £27,270.
The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal will allow children to have access to increased learning opportunities, wider experiences and better socialisation through being part of a larger school. The report produced by Education Scotland as part of the consultation process identifies clear educational benefits for current and future pupils living in the Southend area.
The current number of new primary school aged children projected to live within the Southend Primary School in the forthcoming years is insufficient to make the school viable for re-opening. If the school were to remain mothballed it would involve a significant annual capital expense which is a continuing drain on the Council’s resources. Implementation of the proposal will assist the Council to deliver ‘Best Value’ through making more efficient and effective use of its resources – including staffing resources as the Council continue to tackle the increasing challenge of recruiting teaching staff.
This notice is to inform interested parties regarding the decision made at the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the proposal to close Southend Primary School with an implementation date of 31st May 2024. This notice is available in accordance with Section 11A(3) of the Act.
Southend Primary School - update February 2024
In August 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to close Southend Primary School, and realign its catchment area.
Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The Consultation Report can be viewed here:
A decision on this proposal will be made by the Council’s Community Services Committee at their meeting on Thursday 7th March 2024. An update on the decision made in regard to this proposal at this meeting of the Community Services Committee will be made available here.
Southend Primary School consultation August to October 2023 - Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal that education provision at Southend Primary School be discontinued with effect from 31st May 2024.
It is proposed to close Southend Primary School, and extend the catchment area of Castlehill Primary School to include the current catchment area of Southend Primary School.
On 24th August 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal. This will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).
You can read the proposal documents here:
- Southend Primary School – Full Proposal Paper
- Southend Primary School – Proposal Summary
- Southend Primary School consultation – response form
- Southend Primary School consultation - Options Appraisal
The consultation period commenced on 31st August 2023 and ended on 27th October 2023. Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.
As detailed at Paragraph 21.5 of the Proposal Paper, and Page 3 of the Summary Proposal - a public meeting, to discuss the proposal, was held at 6pm on 27th September 2023 within Southend Primary School.
Minard Primary School Consultation
Minard Primary School consultation update – 8th March 2024
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the proposal to close Minard Primary School, the Council has now informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Details for submitting representations to Scottish Ministers are as follows:
By email - schoolclosure@gov.scot
By post - The Scottish Government, School Infrastructure Unit, 2A (South Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
The deadline for making representations to Scottish Ministers is 27th March 2024 (3 weeks from decision date).
Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee considered the findings of the statutory consultation on the future of Minard Primary School at its meeting on 7th March 2024 and approved implementation of and alternative to the proposal as consulted on – namely, to permanently discontinue education provision at Minard Primary School and extend the catchment area of Furnace Primary School to include the current catchment area of Minard Primary School with effect from 31st May 2024.
The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal is the best solution to address the underlying reasons for its formulation, namely:
- Minard Primary School has been mothballed for over four years. The school roll is currently zero and is not predicted to rise significantly in the near future.
- Along with several other rural councils, Argyll and Bute is facing increasing challenges in recruiting staff. As of the end of January 2024 there were 10.84 fte vacancies for both primary Head Teachers and Teachers in Argyll and Bute.
- Whilst the school is mothballed, the building is deteriorating with limited budgets for maintenance. The annual cost of the mothballing of the building is approximately £10,382.
The Council has listened carefully to all of the consultation feedback and has reviewed the proposal, as consulted on, to consider whether any of the consultation feedback has led the Education Service to reconsider any other options as being reasonable alternatives to the Proposal. As part of the consultation process, representations were received which led the Council to conclude that a new option, suggested around a single receiving school, should be adopted as a new reasonable alternative to the Proposal. This review had special regard to the likely effect on the local community, and the likely effect of any different travelling arrangements.
Formal closure of the school would allow any plans to acquire the building to be progressed by the local community, which in turn would increase the availability of the premises to the community and even benefit the sustainability of the community. The amended re-zoning of the school’s catchment area (re-zoned in its entirety to Furnace Primary School) has also been assessed to be more beneficial to the local community, as it avoids “splitting” the catchment area within the local community.
Implementation of this alternative to the proposal as consulted on will allow children to have access to increased learning opportunities, wider experiences and better socialisation through being part of a larger school. The report produced by Education Scotland as part of the consultation process identifies clear educational benefits for current and future pupils living in the Minard area.
The current number of children within the Minard Primary School catchment area, at present and based on projected rolls, is insufficient to make the school viable.
If the school were to remain mothballed this would be a continuing drain on the Council’s resources. Implementation of the identified alternative to the proposal as consulted on will assist the Council to deliver ‘Best Value’ through making more efficient and effective use of its resources – including staffing resources, as the Council continue to tackle the increasing challenge of recruiting teaching staff. Furthermore, the Council will engage with the Minard community to explore options for future use of the school premises should they wish to progress this.
This notice is to inform interested parties regarding the decision made at the Community Services Committee on 7th March 2024 to approve the new reasonable alternative to the proposal as consulted on (i.e. to close Minard Primary School, and have its catchment area subsumed in its entirety by Furnace Primary School) with an implementation date of 31st May 2024. This notice is available in accordance with Section 11A(3) of the Act.
Minard Primary School - update February 2024
In June 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to close Minard Primary School, and realign its catchment area.
Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The Consultation Report can be viewed here:
A decision on this proposal will be made by the Council’s Community Services Committee at their meeting on Thursday 7th March 2024. An update on the decision made in regard to this proposal at this meeting of the Community Services Committee will be made available here.
Minard Primary School consultation June to September 2023 - Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal that education provision at Minard Primary School be discontinued with effect from 31st May 2024.
It is proposed to close Minard Primary School, zone pupils to Lochgilphead Primary School and Furnace Primary School and realign their catchment areas.
On 8th June 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal. This will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).
You can read the proposal documents here:
- Minard Primary School Proposal
- Minard Primary School Summary
- Minard Primary School - consultation response form
- Minard Primary School consultation - Options Appraisal
The consultation period started on 15th June 2023 and ended on 13rd September 2023. Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.
As detailed at Section 28.5 of the Proposal Paper, and Page 3 of the Summary Proposal - a public meeting, to discuss the proposal, was held at 7pm on 29th August 2023 within Minard Primary School.
Luing Primary School Consultation
Luing Primary School consultation update – 8th March 2024
At their meeting on 7th March 2024, the Community Services Committee decided not to implement the proposal to close Luing Primary School with effect from 31st May 2024. Therefore, the school is to remain mothballed in the meantime, and the provisions of Section 2A of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 are noted in this regard.
Luing Primary School - update February 2024
In June 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to close Luing Primary School, and realign its catchment area.
Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The Consultation Report can be viewed here:
A decision on this proposal will be made by the Council’s Community Services Committee at their meeting on Thursday 7th March 2024. An update on the decision made in regard to this proposal at this meeting of the Community Services Committee will be made available here.
Luing Primary School consultation June to September 2023 - Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal that education provision at Luing Primary School be discontinued with effect from 31st May 2024.
It is proposed to close Luing Primary School. The catchment area of Easdale Primary School shall be extended to include the current catchment area of Luing Primary School
On 8th June 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal. This will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).
You can read the proposal documents here:
- Luing Primary School Proposal
- Luing Primary School Summary
- Luing Primary School - consultation response form
- Luing Primary School consultation - Options Appraisal
The consultation period started on 15th June 2023 and ended on 13rd September 2023. Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.
As detailed at Section 21.5 of the Proposal Paper, and Page 3 of the Summary Proposal - a public meeting, to discuss the proposal, was held at 1.30pm on 4th September 2023 within Luing Primary School.
St Joseph’s Primary School Consultation
Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on a proposal to extend the catchment area for St Joesph’s Primary School to the whole Helensburgh and Lomond area.
Update - 24th August 2023
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 24th August 2023 implementing a proposal to rezone the catchment area of St Joseph’s Primary School, the catchment area of St Joseph’s Primary School has been extended to include the entire Helensburgh and Lomond area, with effect from 24th August 2023.
Update - 3rd August 2023
St Joseph’s Primary School – Consultation Report, August 2023
On 9th March 2023, Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to rezone the catchment area for St Joseph’s Primary School.
Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The consultation paper can be viewed here:
A decision on this proposal will be made by the Council’s Community Services Committee at their meeting on Thursday 24th August 2023. An update on the Committee’s decision will subsequently be made available here.
You can read the proposal documents here:
The consultation period commenced on 16th March 2023 and closed on 12th May 2023. Written representations must be received by the closing date in order to be taken into account. Details on how to submit a written response and participate in this consultation exercise in accordance with the Act can be found within the Proposal Paper.
Archived School consultations
Skipness Primary School consultation update - 24th October 2022
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 25th August 2022 to approve the proposal to close Skipness Primary School, the Council informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
The Scottish Ministers have reviewed the Council’s Proposal Paper and Consultation Report, determined that the Council have fulfilled their obligations under the 2010 Act, and consequently have decided not to issue a call-in notice for this proposal.
Therefore education provision will be formally discontinued from Skipness Primary School as of 1st December 2022.
Read the full details of the Skipness Primary School Consultation here
Ardchattan Primary School
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 5th September 2019 to approve the proposal to close Ardchattan Primary School, the Council informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15 (2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Scottish Ministers conclude that having reviewed the Council’s Proposal Paper and Consultation Report, they consider that the Council have fulfilled their obligations under the 2010 Act and consequently have decided not to issue a call-in notice for this proposal.
Education provision has therefore be discontinued from Ardchattan Primary School as of 31st October 2019.
Ashfield Primary School
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 5th September 2019 to approve the proposal to close Ashfield Primary School, the Council informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15 (2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Scottish Ministers conclude that having reviewed the Council’s Proposal Paper and Consultation Report, they consider that the Council have fulfilled their obligations under the 2010 Act and consequently have decided not to issue a call-in notice for this proposal.
Education provision has therefore be discontinued from Ashfield Primary School as of 31st October 2019.
Rezoning of St Columba’s Primary School
Following the decision of the Community Services Committee on 5th September 2019 approving the rezoning of St Columba’s Primary School, the catchment area of St Columba’s Primary School will be rezoned to match the current mainland catchment area for Oban High School, with effect from 6th October 2019.
