An independent report is currently beng compiled for submission to the Scottish Consumer Council.

It is hoped the findings could contribute to work being undertaken by the Scottish Government which aims to change the law so that closing a rural school becomes the "last resort" for councils.

The local Community Association has already been given the chance to give its side of the story to the author of the consumer report.

It is understood Fife Council officials — including senior education manager Bryan Kirkaldy — have also been interviewed in relation to their involvement in the process which saw the school close its doors last summer.

The report, compiled by the Research Shop, is to be submitted to the Scottish Consumer Council later this month.

The closure of the school, which along with Smithygreen near Leven was agreed in a bid to save £200,000 a year, followed the recommendations of a report written prior to consultation.

That was despite a 400-strong signature petition and many letters of objection.

The research has been welcomed by Sandy Longmuir of the Scottish Rural Schools Network who said he hoped the report would be published in time for it to be submitted as part of the Government consultation.

Mr Longmuir said that because of his group's profile in Parliament, much of its work with threatened schools came about through referral by local MSPs.

However, he was "surprised" not to have been contacted regarding the Dunshalt closure, given that North East Fife MSP Iain Smith was "very much aware" of the work his group was doing.

"We gave evidence of the work we had done to a Parliamentary committee which Mr Smith chaired at the time," he said.

Mr Longmuir said that while it was now "water under the bridge", Dunshalt school appeared to be "on the edge of viability due to its roll size and its accessible location."

Mr Smith said: "I supported the campaign being organised and run by the parents and it was up to them and not me to decide if they wanted to contact the Scottish Rural Schools Network.

"I felt there was a strong argument for keeping Dunshalt open and that was stated in the many representations I made directly to Fife Council at the time."