Schools merger could keep current buildings open

Tipperty School is currently operating under capacity

A final decision is to be made on whether to merge two Aberdeenshire primary schools but keep both of their buildings open.

Council officers are recommending councillors approve the plans on Thursday which would see Foveran and Tipperty operate as a new school with one identity.

Foveran School is over-capacity for the current school year, while Tipperty is under capacity - with no provision for the school funded in the recent budget.

It is expected the bus travel for taking children between the schools - which are two miles (3km) apart - would be about £42,000 per year.

A plan to bring the whole school together once per week would cost £15,000 per year.

A survey on the plans found parents to be split on the matter, with 22 in favour of the merger and 25 opposed.

Two classes would be based at each school, to manage the capacity issues.

Aberdeenshire Council will decide on the proposal on Thursday.