Inversnaid Primary School 'should close'

Officials believe the school roll is unlikely to increase in the future

A school that costs £108,000 a year to run and has only two pupils should be closed, officials have recommended.

The £54,000 cost per child at Inversnaid Primary in Stirlingshire makes it one of the most expensive in the UK.

The two pupils are the children of head teacher Christine Carter.

An education review by Stirling Council has asked that councillors consider the "permanent closure" of the school from 24 June 2011.

Pupils living in the catchment zone would travel 15 miles (24km) to attend Aberfoyle Primary School instead.

'No requests'

The school was earmarked for closure 13 years ago when it had three pupils, but the ruling Labour group eventually decided it would be "inappropriate" to push ahead with the plans and Inversnaid remained open.

But the school roll is unlikely to rise in the future, the authority's education service has said.

The report, prepared for the council executive, said: "The school has capacity for 15 pupils. It currently has a roll of two with no placing requests."

Since 1996, the school roll has never had more than seven pupils - peaking in 2000 and 2004.

The report added: "Given the low occupancy levels of Inversnaid Primary School over the last 15 years, consideration to alternative provision should be given allowing pupils to access an establishment in a higher category rating."

"A declining school roll often results in parents choosing to move their children to another school."

Final decision

Stirling Council executive will also be asked to consider closing Lochearnhead Primary School in Perthshire, which was mothballed in November 2009 with only two pupils on the roll.

The children now attend Strathyre Primary School, which is about five miles (8km) away.

Stirling Council approved the closure of Lochearnhead primary in 2007, but the Scottish government reversed the decision.

A public consultation will be held on the future of both schools.

A final decision will be made by the council executive in February 2011, but will be subject to approval by the Scottish government.