Community councillors warn ‘mothballing’ primary school could result in ‘dramatic acceleration’ of rural depopulation
The chair of Edderton community council has hit out at plans to “mothball” its village primary school, amid fears that the decision could deter families from coming to the area.
Edderton Primary is set to be temporarily closed once the current school year comes to an end, Highland Council has confirmed.
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A forecast drop in the school roll to just two has prompted the local authority’s plans to shut its doors, amid concerns that a low pupil count could “disadvantage” children.
But members of Edderton community council have hit back at the plan, stating that the school is a “a central and binding part of life” in the village, and that the school’s small numbers represent a “short lived ebb”.
Highland Council say the decision will only be reviewed if they see a “significant increase” in the number of children attending the school.
Gordon Allison, chair of Edderton community council, said: “It seems bizarre that Highland Council officers would consider Edderton Primary School a suitable target for either closure or ‘moth-balling’ which is in effect closure without public or committee consultation.
“Edderton, as a rural community, has a great deal to offer and indeed has a long history of strong community spirit.
“For example through hard work and graft raising the funds locally to build a new village hall, and previously having funded the erection of the very impressive village church.
“Edderton Primary School has also formed a central and binding part of life in Edderton which, in addition to academic excellence, has always shone bright in extra-curricular activities such as Scottish country dancing and cross-country sports.
“The village ‘kick pitch’ has also supported the stronger social development of children in the village.
“It is always a delight to drive past of an evening to see youngsters of primary and secondary ages all playing together and supporting each other in a friendly game of football, with not a smart phone or bowed head to be seen.
“As with all things, however, there is an ebb and flow to any community and it so happens that the primary school roll is currently at an ebb.
“It is expected to be a short lived ebb, however. With three new houses already either built or under construction, planning now approved for seven more and a further three under consideration by Highland Council planning department, it would seem highly likely that the school roll will see a healthy recovery in the very near future.”
Community councillors also say feasibility work is now under way to re-establish a train stop in the village to meet a “growing demand” for residential accommodation anticipated from Green Freeport activities.
Mr Allison said he believes the decision to “mothball” the primary school could result in a “dramatic acceleration” of rural depopulation in the area, “undermining the activities and hard work of so many people” to stem or reverse social decline in the rural Highlands.
He added: “What young family would choose to locate themselves in a village with no primary school?
“Why build houses in an area that is not attractive to young families? Why build a train stop where there will be a declining commuter population?
“Who would be happy sending their four or five-year-old child off to the homogeneous environment of a large campus for early years education?”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “In March 2024, parents/guardians at Edderton Primary School were notified that the Highland Council had decided that Edderton Primary School would remain open for session 2024-25; that is, for the session lasting from August 2024 to early July 2025.
“However, current forecasts suggest the school roll at Edderton PS will fall further for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.
“In that context, the council is planning to ‘mothball’ the school (temporarily close it) at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
“This decision could be reviewed if there is a significant increase in the number of children attending the school in the intervening period.
“The council considers that educationally there are disadvantages to pupils attending a school with two or less pupils.”
