THE permanent closure of a Borders school which had just four pupils is being recommended for approval next week.
When members of Scottish Borders Council meet on Thursday, June 25, they will be recommended to take Eddleston Primary School off the educational curriculum forever, following the conclusion of a statutory public consultation.
It is also being recommended that the school’s catchment area is rezoned to incorporate Kingsland Primary School in Peebles.
If approved the decision of the council will need to be notified to Scottish Ministers within six days.
Under the recommendation the official closure of the school would be on Tuesday, December 22 this year.
The school was mothballed in June, 2022 when pupil numbers fell to just four.
The school roll had fluctuated between 63 and 51 pupils between 1999 and 2017, but fell steadily afterwards.
At the start of the 2021/22 there were 24 pupils enrolled, which in accordance with Scottish Government regulations equated to a single composite class.
That small number resulted in placement requests being submitted by parents and pupil numbers continued to fall throughout the school year.
Pupils from Eddleston were transferred to Halyrude, Kingsland, Newlands, Priorsford and West Linton primary schools.
The final remaining pupils were transferred to Newlands Primary School in Romanno Bridge.
There were 46 responses to the consultation process, with the majority in favour of closure.
A report to members states: “Officers noted overall that the consultation responses showed a majority in favour of the proposal to close Eddleston Primary School, although there remained a significant level of opposition and uncertainty.
“Supporters of closure generally referred to low demand, existing attendance patterns and links with Peebles schools, while those opposed highlighted the importance of a village school to village identity, community cohesion and family choice.”
In the longer term community interest groups have expressed “serious interest” in the Eddleston Primary building should the decision be made to proceed with the proposal to close.
