'Happy tears' – Largue School mothballing reversed
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ABERDEENSHIRE Council has reversed its decision to mothball Largue School.
The news came in a letter from Director of Education and Children's Services Laurence Findlay, sent to parents at 3.55pm yesterday (April 24).
The school was set to be mothballed because, at the end of March, the expected school roll for next year dropped to only seven pupils.
However, an update from the Council confirmed that they now expected nine to attend in August 2023.
The closing section of the letter reads: "The roll at Largue School during April 2023 increased to ten pupils.
"In August 2023 there is a predicted roll of nine pupils expected.
"As a result, the Director of Education and Children’s Services has made the decision that Largue School will remain open.
"The school roll will continue to be monitored, and should the roll drop to eight or below during the 2023/24 academic year the decision to mothball will be revisited."
Parents campaigned against the Council's initial decision since its announcement on March 28.
Chairwoman of the parents committee Paula McRitchie said: "I'm just beyond happy and I can't quite believe it.
"It's just unbelievable – happy tears.
"So many happy tears.
"I am just so happy that Aberdeenshire Council has taken this decision."
Ms McRitchie said it was a massive relief to have certainty over her children's schooling next year.
"It has just been a whirlwind and everybody is just so happy and just so glad that we've got an answer from the Council now," she said.
"Just so glad that it's all resolved and that we know where know where our children are going to school after the holidays.
"The relief that it has been sorted is incredible and, honestly, I was just so shaken when I read the letter.
"I read it about 10 times, just to make sure that we were reading it right."
With the school roll set to increase year-on-year, Largue's future now looks safe according to Ms McRitchie.
She said: "We know this year was a bad year, but the numbers are there for the future.
"There shouldn't be anything to worry about now."
Asked if the campaign made a difference to the Council's decision, Ms McRitchie said she thought it had but was happy with the decision regardless.
"I think it did, I really think it did," she said.
"I'm sure it must have and I think a lot of people would agree.
"But, regardless of Aberdeenshire Council's reasons, I'm happy with the decision they have made."
Sharing her advice for parents with children at schools who might face similar situations in future, she encouraged communities to stand up and be heard.
"I think you've just got to be heard," she said.
"You have got to shout as loud as you can.
"They are small schools but big communities.
"So shout as loud as you can and get that support.
"Reach out to as many people as you can, regardless of how little you might think the issue is, just reach out to people and get your voices heard."
Sharing her gratitude for those involved and supporting the campaign, she said: "Just a big thank you to everybody.
"We've had so much support and comments, offers of help and advice.
"From everybody at Largue – thank you for everyone's support.
"It really hasn't gone unnoticed."
