Consultations on closing four primary schools to begin in new year

Consultation on the SIC’s plans to close four small rural primary schools in Shetland will begin early in the new year.

Councillors agreed in June to consult the affected communities with a view to shutting the primaries in Burravoe, North Roe, Sandness and Uyeasound.

The first meetings will take place in Unst in the last week of January. The exercise will be completed by 13th March, after which councillors will be asked whether to proceed with shutting the schools. It is part of the SIC’s efforts to slash £6 million from its costly £42 million annual education budget, which is by far the highest per pupil in the whole of Scotland.

Olnafirth Primary School is also mooted for closure but due to the heavy burden on staff in carrying out all the necessary work, that consultation will not take place until autumn 2011.