Four Perthshire primary schools 'facing closure'

Four Perthshire schools that provide education for just 20 pupils between them are facing possible closure.

Logiealmond, Straloch, Strone of Cally and Struan primary schools have all been reviewed by the council's education director.

Strone of Cally school, near Blairgowrie, has already been "mothballed", with its seven pupils now attending Kirkmichael Primary School.

Perth and Kinross councillors will consider the reports on 25 August.

A spokeswoman said the councillors would carry out an "options appraisal", and that no decisions had yet been taken.

But the report into each of the schools makes it clear that any proposals would include "possible closure".

After the Lifelong Learning Committee consider the reports on Wednesday, the council said it would undertake a "detailed appraisal" to decide the option for each school.

Staff and parents have been kept informed of the situation, the council said.

'No conclusions'

All four of the schools have just one teacher each.

Logiealmond school currently has seven pupils, Straloch five and Struan has just four on the school roll.

The committee's convener, Liz Grant, said: "What is most crucial to us is to deliver a high-quality educational experience for every pupil, with a broad and balanced curriculum for all, and we have to consider how this can best be provided both now and in the long term.

"If approved, work will progress on the options appraisal and educational benefit reports for each school, with these coming back to the committee in due course.

"Depending on the outcome of those reports, consultation with communities may then take place. However, at this time, we have reached no conclusions about the schools' future."