Discontinuation of education provision at Altnaharra Primary School

28th June 2019

At a meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 27 June 2019, Councillors decided to discontinue the provision of education at Altnaharra Primary School, dividing its catchment area between Tongue Primary, Farr Primary and Lairg Primary schools.

A copy of the consultation report, together with the original proposal paper and all relevant appendices can be viewed on the Council's website at: www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations

The Council is satisfied that implementation of closure is the most appropriate response to the reasons for formulating the original proposal identified by the authority. The detailed rationale behind this decision is set out in the consultation report, which includes an explanation of the educational benefits that would arise from closure, as well as assessments of the community impact and the travel arrangements that would apply following closure.

The Council has notified Scottish Ministers of its decision and provided them with a copy of the Proposal Paper and Consultation Report. Ministers have an 8-week period from the Council's date of decision (27 June 2019) to decide if they will intervene by issuing a call-in notice.

Within the first 3 weeks of that 8-week period, they will take account of any relevant representations made to them by any person on whether the decision should be called in, or not called in, for review by a School Closure Review Panel.

All representations should be sent to the email address or the postal address below and the deadline for this is Thursday 18 July 2019.

Anyone wishing to make a representation to the Scottish Ministers is asked to email: schoolclosure@gov.scot or write to the School Infrastructure Unit, Scottish Government, 2-D (S) Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, by midnight 18 July 2019 at the latest.

The Council will await the outcome of Scottish Ministers’ considerations.