Plans to merge Aberdeen primary schools dropped

Bramble Brae Primary is one of the schools involved

Plans to merge two pairs of Aberdeen primary schools have been dropped.

The Labour-led city council faced a backlash from parents over its proposals to merge Middleton Park and Glashieburn schools, and Bramble Brae with Quarryhill.

A public consultation was carried out.

Education, culture and sport convener Jenny Laing said the interests of pupils and the communities of Bridge of Don and Northfield would be best served by keeping the schools open.

She said she would move at the next meeting of her committee on 30 January that all four schools should remain.

The convener explained: "I have listened closely to what the school communities have had to say and I am now convinced that keeping all four schools open is best for the children, best for parents, best for the school staff and best for the local communities.

"The school communities put forward very strong arguments for keeping their individual schools open - and I am persuaded that they are right.

"A final decision will of course have to be taken by my committee."