Gretna Primary classroom expansion on hold due to unexpected turn in school roll

A planned expansion of Gretna Primary classrooms will likely be delayed as school roll numbers have taken an unexpected turn.
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education chiefs were considering adding another temporary classroom to accommodate another 60 pupils.
The school roll was 308 in May last year and future projections for the school showed that the additional capacity would be needed.
However, the school roll has dropped over the past year, which may force education bosses to stall on the move.
Larann Foss, the council’s schools property manager, produced a report which will be discussed at next week’s education committee.
He wrote: “The enrolment process has been undertaken for session 2022/23 and the roll at present for Gretna is 298. This
includes acceptance of two pupil placing requests from out with the catchment area.
“Reviewing the individual year groups shows a P7 cohort of 48 pupils moving on to secondary education, and 36 new P1’s enrolled.
“The numbers being seen here are in line with the regional picture of falling primary pupil numbers.
“At a roll of 298, and within the capacity value of 308, the school can accommodate the pupils within 11 classrooms, which
would return the current 12th classroom to a secondary general purpose room.”
While there is no immediate need for expansion, the situation could change the following year.
Alba Developments have been given the green light to build 200 homes on the former Gretna golf course, bringing many more families to the town.
The site is within a mile of Gretna Primary and work on the housing development is scheduled to progress this year.
As part of the legal agreement with Dumfries and Galloway Council, the developers will also contribute £570,000 towards an upgrade of the primary school, along with £250,000 towards upgrading water connections.