Council confirms closure of Fife primary school

Fife Council is to close Gateside Primary School.

The north-east Fife primary will shut on December 18.

Re-zoning the catchment area of Strathmiglo Primary School to incorporate all of those currently living in the catchment area for Gateside will also take place from this date.

The closure plan was drafted as a result of the school having no pupils in August 2018 and 2019. There are none this year.

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The school was originally mothballed in 2019 which gave the council the opportunity to reopen it should circumstances change.

However, now the education committee has decided on a permanent closure.

Shelagh McLean, head of education & children’s services said: "Fife aspires to excellence for all it's children and young people.

"That means excellence in the opportunities and excellence in the learning and teaching they experience. The proposal being considered today supports this aim.

"The education service believes that all of the requirements have been met.

This includes the particular requirements of a proposal relating to a rural school, the likely effect on the local community, and the likely effect caused by any different travelling arrangements that may be required ."

Ms McLean added that officers recognise 'the significant challenge' closing of a school and rezoning of a catchment area presents for pupils, parents and the community.

The council will source an alternative use for the school site.

There have already been suggestions that it could be used to accommodate children with additional learning needs.