Three Argyll and Bute primary schools to close due to lack of pupils on roll

Three primary schools in Argyll and Bute will close at the end of May having been mothballed for years.

Councillors unanimously backed a recommendation from officials that the doors of two schools in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands should be shut for good.

A third school, Achaleven Primary near Oban, will also shut after councillors decided there was no will in the community to keep it open.

Minard Primary, in the village of Minard on the shores of Loch Fyne, and Southend Primary, on the south Kintyre peninsula, have each been mothballed for a number of years, with pupil numbers not forecast to rise anytime soon.

As a result of the closures, the catchment areas of the schools at Lochgilphead and Furnace will be extended to take in that of Minard, while Castlehill Primary in Campbeltown will have its catchment area extended to cover Southend.

Members of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee unanimously agreed that education provision at Minard and Southend should end from Friday, May 31, in accordance with officers’ recommendations.

Achaleven Primary in Connel was recommended for closure by council officials, having been mothballed for over two years and having no pupils on its roll.

The mothballing process has cost Argyll and Bute Council nearly £16,000 a year.

The catchment area of Lochnell Primary, three and a half miles away on the other side of Loch Etive, will be extended to take in pupils who would have attended Achaleven in the future.