Glasgow School of Sport recommended for closure in 2029

The closure of a school of sport for young athletes is recommended to take place in 2029, once all current pupils have completed their education.

Glasgow Life, which runs culture, leisure and sport services for the council, initially proposed shutting the Glasgow School of Sport (GSOS), at Bellahouston Academy, from June this year.

But the plan was met with anger from parents and pupils, and concerns were raised over a lack of consultation.

Independent consultancy firm Kinharvie was then appointed to gather views from students, families, sports clubs and national governing bodies (NGBs). It found 82% of parents and pupils who took part in a survey believed the closure would have a “very negative impact” on students’ sporting development.

The company reported the “prolonged uncertainty” over the future of the school had “disrupted pupils’ exams, competitions, and subject choices, leaving many unable to plan for the future”.

Now, a new report reveals continuing the GSOS until June 2029 is recommended. It adds Glasgow Life will work with NGBs to “realign the future delivery and administration of high‑performance programmes”.

Councillors on the wellbeing, equalities, communities, culture and engagement city policy committee, which meets on Thursday, will be asked to refer the report to the city administration committee for approval.

The paper, by Bailie Annette Christie, SNP, the council’s convener for culture, sport and international relations, states: “When GSOS opened in 1998, the national governing bodies (NGBs) for these five sports were not well-positioned to drive performance sport forward. GSOS filled this gap.

“NGBs have significantly improved their capability and capacity to deliver national performance and sporting excellence programmes by creating a strategic vision for their sport, developing high-level coaching and competition programmes, and fostering talent from grassroots to elite levels.”

The report states a talented sports performer scheme would be reviewed if the plan to close the school goes ahead. It could be tailored to “better support the evolving needs of talented sports performers in Glasgow”.

At Scotland’s only facility that allows young people to develop their sporting talents as part of their education, students specialise in athletics, badminton, gymnastics, hockey or swimming.

Former pupils include swimmer Michael Jamieson, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, and badminton player Kirsty Gilmour, who has also won a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

The report states there are currently 38 pupils in S3 to S6, down from 60 in April last year. A pause on new students was introduced in 2024 as the council and Glasgow Life looked for funding support.

They wanted financial help to reflect the school’s “national catchment” but requests were “unsuccessful”. Currently, 13 students are from Glasgow and 25 from other council areas.

The report adds Glasgow Life’s outturn costs for GSOS are £730,000 for 2025/26, with Glasgow pupils accounting for around £248,000.

It states Glasgow Life chaired a meeting in September where Scottish Athletics, Badminton Scotland, Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Swimming, Sportscotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport were all represented.

“It was confirmed and agreed that the NGBs associated with GSOS sports are best placed to deliver high-quality performance pathways, aligning with Sportscotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport’s approach of devolving responsibility for performance pathways to the NGBs,” the report continues.

“While they may not be able to fully replicate the integrated provision offered at GSOS, each NGB is recognised as the specialist in its respective sport and is best equipped to provide the appropriate support structures tailored to individual athletes.”