Use: Immediate                                                                             Issue Date: Thursday 19 May 2005

At The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee held earlier today (Thursday 19 May), Councillors agreed to reopen Aultnaharra Primary School in Sutherland after it was mothballed in October 2002 following a drop in the school role to just one pupil.

The decision to reopen the school follows a request from the community for the Council to re-assess educational provision due to the increase in births in the area and the growing number of job opportunities.

The Highland Council Convener Alison Magee said: "The school has always been the focal point of the community and it was a sad day in 2002 when we had to mothball it. Many people must have thought it would never open again so I am delighted that our education service was able to work with the community to reverse the decision.

"Reopening the school is great news for everyone. As well as saving pupils from a round trip of nearly 50 miles, which in the winter can cause concern about their safety to parents it will also attract people with young families to live and work in the area."

The nearest school with a permanent Headteacher is Lairg Primary School where the school roll is projected to fall from 70 pupils to 59 at the end of term. Under a special cluster arrangement Head Teacher Miss Gillies will manage both schools.

Three pupils, two of whom currently travel to Farr School, are expected to attend the Aultnaharra Primary on the first day of term in August.

Director of Education, Culture and Sport, Bruce Robertson said: "We had a very positive meeting with the local parents and community representatives and both the Convener and local Councillor, Sandy Mackay, were full behind the proposal to reopen the school. This demonstrates that our policy of mothballing schools rather than the blunt instrument of closure, in rural areas, is working."

Date Last updated : 19/05/05