Writing on wall for remote school

Jan 14 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT now appears almost certain that Strone of Cally Primary School will close its doors for the last time by June next year.

Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) lifelong learning committee this week approved proposals to permanently shut the remote institution that was put into mothballs last year.

But before a final decision is made by the committee, statutory public meetings will be held next month at Bridge of Cally and Kirkmichael so community members can have their say on proposals.

Despite a lengthy campaign by parents and local councillors to retain the Bridge of Cally school, six miles from Blairgowrie, the final nail its coffin was the fact that only one pupil had enrolled for this year.

Enrolments have shrunk during recent years, with the 10 pupils residing in the catchment area attending neighbouring schools.

PKC’s education and children’s services director John Fyffe has argued that the children’s best interests would be served by attending the 39-pupil Kirkmichael Primary School, seven miles away.

At Wednesday’s committee meeting, convener Liz Grant reminded colleagues that they were not making a decision on closing the school.

“We are asking your permission to go forward to consultation on that proposal,” she said.

“It’s our first go at this and we’re not sure what the government actually expects us to do or provide.”

Cllr Barbara Vaughan drew members’ attention to a page dealing with funds spent on the building in recent years.

“I appreciate that we are in new territory but the role at Strone of Cally has been very minute in recent years and there was an investment of £32,000 undertaken,” she said.

“I would hope that in the future, where something like that was to come over the horizon, then we as a committee should be aware that this was the point where we should consider whether there was a future for the school, rather than put substantial sums of money into a school that potentially could be closed in the near future.”

Blairgowrie-based Cllr Caroline Shiers said: “I’d stress that the whole community has an opportunity to get involved in the consultation process.”

Public meetings will be held in village halls at Bridge of Cally on February 21 and Kirkmichael on February 23, both starting at 7pm.