Consultation Report - Proposal to close Eccles Leitholm Primary School

Overview

In March 2019, Scottish Borders Council commenced a statutory consultation on the proposals that:-

• Eccles Leitholmn Primary School is permanently closed; and
• If the school is closed, the catchment area for Eccles Leitholm Primary School is permanently zoned to either Coldstream Primary School or Swinton Primary School

Scottish Borders Council has prepared a Consultation Report responding to the comments and issues raised during the consultation period. This report can be accessed below.

Scottish Borders Council is now seeking your views on the proposals and the Consultation Report as well as seeking any alternative suggestions to the proposals.

Why your views matter

Eccles Leitholm Primary School was mothballed in 2016 following a significant drop in pupil numbers. Since mothballing the Council has monitored the school and education provision in the area. An Options Analysis has been completed considering all reasonable options regarding the school's future. This Analysis indicated that the most appropriate option was the permanent closure of the school.

The Council is now seeking your views  and suggestions on the proposals  prior to making a final decision regarding the future of the school.

What happens next

All responses received will be considered as part of the report that will be presented to Scottish Borders Council on 29 August 2019 making a recomendation for a decision regarding the future of the school.

If the decision made by Scottish Borders Council is to close the school, Scottish Minister are then advised of the decision and the Scottish Ministers then invite representations regarding the proposals over a 3 week period. Following which Scottish Ministers have a further 5 weeks to consider whether to issue a call in notice to Scottish Borders Council. If a call in notice is issued the closure will be referred to the School Closure Review Panel. If the Panel do not consent to the closure then Scottish Borders Council will be unable to commence another consultaiton to close the school for a minimum period of 5 years.