Shock plan to 'mothball' primary schools in South Ayrshire where numbers are dwindling

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Primary schools in South Ayrshire with dwindling numbers of pupils could be at risk of being “mothballed” Ayrshire Live can exclusively reveal.A plan has been drawn up by education bosses seeking permission to “consider” the future of a primary school whose numbers fall to 15 catchment area pupils, or less.Details of the move, which could potentially end the futures of some primary schools in rural areas of the county, are detailed in a report by the South Ayrshire Council Depute Chief Executive and Director of Education, Lyndsay McRoberts.And in another revelation, over the next three years, Educational Services will look to “review” the current school estate.

This review, they state, is “with a view to improving the educational provision and realising efficiency savings.”But Ayrshire Live can also reveal that this will include “consideration of school mergers, closures or mothballing.”Ms McRoberts’ report is titled ‘Parameters for Considering Consultation on the Mothballing of Primary Schools’ and will go before the council Cabinet on Wednesday for approval.In the report she seeks cabinet’s approval on “setting operational parameters” for educational services to progress consultation on the ‘mothballing’ of a primary school, when the number of catchment area pupils has fallen below an agreed level.The report is also asking the council cabinet for permission to consider a school for mothballing, “subject to an assessment that confirms that the number of catchment area pupils is unlikely to increase above 15 within the next two years.”Mothballing, according to the report, provides local authorities with "flexibility" and the opportunity to reopen the school, "should circumstances change."Currently, no primary school in