Council told to mothball school with no pupils

The school roll at St Joseph's is forecast to fall to zero

Councillors have been advised to mothball a primary school that is projected to have no pupils in August.

A report by Scottish Borders Council found the pupil roll at St Joseph's in Selkirk had fallen sharply in recent years.

The nearest alternative Roman Catholic school is about six miles (10km) away in Galashiels.

Mothballing the school was determined to be most "reasonable option", with reopening to be reviewed annually if potential pupil numbers increase.

The school has a capacity for 50 pupils but numbers have been far lower in recent years.

At the start of the 2023/24 year there were 11 children enrolled and, by the time an options appraisal started, there were only nine - none of them registered as catholic.

Current projections are that there will be no increase in demand in the next two years and the roll is projected at zero from August 2024.

The report stated: "A school roll at such low levels causes concern regarding the range of curricular and learning opportunities available to the children."

Borders councillors are also being recommended to continue the mothballing status at Eddleston Primary, which has been in place since 2022.