Have your say: Primary school provision within the Turriff, Banff and Westhill areas
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As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, officers are seeking your views on primary school education within the Turriff, Banffand Westhill Clusters which will help shape the future of education provision.
Within the Turriff cluster both Easterfield and Fisherford Schools have been mothballed since August 2021.
On February 1, Education and Children’s Services Committee agreed to launch a statutory consultation regarding the closure of both schools.
Live SRF data from January 8 shows that there are currently 34 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50 per cent capacity.
Currently Fintry School and King Edward School are both operating below 50 per cent capacity.
It is predicted that by 2029, Auchterless, Crudie, Fintry and King Edward Schools will all be operating below 50 per cent capacity.
Within the Banff cluster Aberchirder, Bracoden and Portsoy Schools are operating below 50 per cent capacity.
It is predicted that Aberchirder, Banff, Bracoden and Portsoy Schools will all be operating below 50 per cent capacity by 2029.
Within the Westhill cluster, Skene School is operating at 49 per cent capacity
It is predicted that will decrease to 33 per cent capacity in 2029.
The vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas. Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.
The surveys will be open until Friday March 8.
