Duror Primary School saved from closure after community campaign

A west coast school has been saved from closure by councillors after a rousing of local support.

The school has ambitions of becoming a learning hub for maritime education with links to local STEM and ecological organisations.

Council reports branded the school “no longer viable” after a continued decline in pupils.

However, parents and locals banded together to save the school, and councillors have backed them.

Duror is a small village on the edge of the Highlands with picturesque views out over Loch Linnhe.

The primary school is part of a cluster of four local schools which work together to provide a range of school services.

Those other primaries are Ballachulish, Glencoe and St Bride’s Primary.

Duror’s staff involve their pupils and community in a number of classes and events around the primary cluster.

Currently, Duror has a roll of two pupils, and the low numbers were one of the reasons it was first identified.

A council report said the low current and future attendance numbers meant the school “is no longer viable.”

They cited “educational disadvantages” impacting a school roll of two pupils, with limits on group activities and sharing of work.

The report added: “The educational interests of the children are best served elsewhere.”

The council was set to save over £100,000 a year by closing the school but insisted it was not a financial decision to close Duror’s doors.

The nearest primary, St Bride’s, is a 14-mile round trip from Duror Primary.

The council received a sea of support for the school in advance of councillors deciding it’s future.

Sophie Hardy, a mum of two toddlers said: “We moved to Duror because we felt it ticked all the boxes: it is remote but has the essentials within it, plus a great community feel.”

“It is such a loss to our village if the council chooses to close the school. Especially with all the preschool children in the area.”

Local parent Megan Dent said: “This school is vital to the future of our village.

“It has so much to offer and lots of exciting potential. I really hope that my little boy will be able to attend when the time comes.”

Speaking on behalf of the pupils at Duror Maclcolm McGregor, said they “feel like Duror is a family rather than a school” and get great benefit from the learning setup there.

Both the local community council and councillors outlined the ecological work of local organisations with the school.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), based in Oban, have shown interest in the school as a hub for STEM education in the Highlands.

Dr Anuschka Miller, Head of Communications at SAMS, said: “We have been increasing our outreach and STEM offering over the past year and are reaching more schools as a result, including Duror.

“Although the majority of our outreach has been in Argyll and Bute, Duror school is well placed.

“The school has space and facilities that can enable us to provide more educational opportunities in the area.”

Marine & Coastal Conservation of Loch Linnhe (MaCCOLL) is a local group are also said to have some involvement in the school.

There has also been involvement with the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF), based in Skye, who may visit with a representative in the near future.

Councillor Sarah Fanet said the work from these organisations would turn Duror Primary into a “unique marine and coastal education learning hub.”

Councillor Fanet added: “I have absolutely no hesitation as a parent, I would love to send my own children to Duror Primary School because I know they are getting a lot of interaction there.”

Andrew Baxter said: “It is a community that has been hollowed out over the last decade with loss of services.

“The local community cherish the Primary School enormously.”

Morven-May MacCallum said: “Our schools are the hub of our communities” and was “delighted” to see Duror Primary remain open.