Two village primary schools earmarked to close
Councillors will make a decision next week.
Two village primary schools and a nursery are set to close their doors for good.
Dumfries and Galloway councillors will next week be asked to approve the closure of Palnackie Primary, as well as Carsphairn Primary and Nursery.
Carsphairn Primary was mothballed in 2019, while Palnackie Primary moved to mothballed status at the end of the 2024/25 term.
Parents and communities connected to both schools and the nursery have been involved in formal consultation processes, which are now proposing that the buildings are shut.
Reports will be presented to elected members at next Tuesday’s education, skills, and community wellbeing committee.
Kevin Williamson, a council education support officer, explained in the Palnackie Primary report that a public consultation meeting was held in Palnackie Village Hall in September last year.
Three council education officers, a representative from Education Scotland, and 12 members of the local community attended.
An online survey was also made available and it drew six responses. Five out of the six respondents supported the closure of Palnackie Primary, while one was opposed to the move.
The council report states: “Council officers, having reviewed the representations, note of the public meeting and Education Scotland’s report; and having special regard to the alternatives to closure, to the community impact and to the impact of the travel arrangements; concludes that the proposal offers significant educational benefits and officers are still of the view that on balance the evidence supports the closure of Palnackie Primary School.
“It is proposed that the catchment area is merged with Dalbeattie Primary School.”
Meanwhile, councillors will be asked to sign off on the closure of Carsphairn Primary School and Nursery, and realign to Dalry Primary School and Nursery.
Council officers held a public meeting at Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, in September last year but it was attended by just two members of the community.
The online survey for Carsphairn Primary and Nursery was filled in by nine locals. Eight were supportive of closure, while one was against.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) is supportive of the Carsphairn closure, but issued a warning about future education provision.
The HMIE statement reads: “Children from the Carsphairn catchment can continue to benefit from a curriculum design that supports their rural location through attending Dalry Primary School.
“Children are settled at Dalry Primary School and enjoy their educational experiences there. In considering reasonable alternatives, the council considered a range of factors and HM Inspectors agree with the educational benefits set out in the current context.
“Stakeholders are concerned about the falling school roll at Dalry Primary School. Should the proposal proceed, it will be important for the council to continue to work closely with the wider local community when planning for adequate and efficient school education in the area.
“The council should also continue to work with local community groups around the community asset transfer timeously after any closure decision has been taken.”
If rubber-stamped by councillors, the school and nursery closures will officially take effect from April 27 this year. The Scottish Government will be notified, which will be followed by an eight-week period for the decision to be called in and reviewed by Scottish Ministers.