Shock as Perthshire Independent school to close

A Perthshire Independent school is set to close on Friday – leaving dozens of families in limbo about where their kids will be taught.

The New School Butterstone caters for 24 youngsters with additional support needs – with some local authorities paying for places for children.

Kevin's 14-year-old son goes to the school. He says he may have to give up work if a new placement can’t be found:

“It's vital because there is no other place. My son has been through the system and out the other side. When we got him in there, we've noticed a dramatic change in him, but now we have nowhere else to go.

“We don't feel that there's anything that can replace the friendship he was getting from the teachers, and I don't think we'll be offered anything that comes close to the level of education that my son's been receiving.

“We've left it up to our son, right down to 'Do you want to go to school for the rest of the week?' And really, he's saying, 'Well, what's the point?'"

Parents were told in an email yesterday evening that it will be shutting down - with "increased costs and a reduction of income" being blamed.

"We've left it up to our son, right down to 'Do you want to go to school for the rest of the week?' And really, he's saying, 'Well, what's the point?'"

Sir Andrew Cubie, Chair of the Board said “The New School has played a valuable role in supporting and educating children with a wide range of specialist educational needs and disabilities, since it was established by Baroness Linklater in 1992, offering a nurturing environment where they have been able to thrive.

“Unfortunately, in recent years, the increasingly onerous requirements of operating in the care sector and the associated costs and resources has had a significant detrimental effect on the school finances; and, as a small independent charitable institution, the financial impact has been particularly acute.

“Regrettably the combination of increased costs and a reduction of income exacerbated an already uncertain financial position and has left the school in a situation that is now financially unviable.

“In an attempt to avoid closure The Board of Governors investigated all options to guarantee the future of the School. Despite exhaustive efforts, however, none of the options proved viable and we have had to make the very difficult decision to close the school.”

Leaders at the New School say the pupils are their top priority – and they’ll now work with all relevant authorities to find alternatives.

The New School Butterston had been open for twenty-five years and supports up to forty youngsters with additional support needs.

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says it’s disappointing:

“This is very sad news that I think will be taken particularly hard by the pupils at the school, the parents, and the staff. The New School Butterstone has existed for some twenty-five years, providing really high quality and specialised care for youngsters with sometimes quite severe educational needs.

“Many councils across Scotland that have funded the places for young people at the New School are having to make cutbacks. It may well be that a combination of rising costs and councils being less able to afford places at the school has made this decision inevitable."