Council to consult on closure of Altnaharra Primary School

Members of The Highland Council’s Care, Learning and Housing Committee have agreed for the Council to conduct a statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue the provision of education at Altnaharra Primary School and to formally close the school.

In a report to committee, Councillors were informed that the school has been mothballed since February 2017 and that there are no prospective pupils in the foreseeable future, and no long term prospect of the school having a viable roll.

If approved, the Altnaharra PS catchment area would be divided three ways. The bulk of the catchment would be re-allocated to either Tongue Primary School or Farr Primary School, with a small area being reassigned to the catchment of Lairg Primary.

A public meeting will be held at Altnaharra Primary School, 6.30pm on 10 October 2018 to discuss the Council’s proposal, and there will be considerable opportunity for stakeholders to submit views to the Council in advance of any final decision being made. 

At this stage, it is expected the final recommendation will be considered by the Care, Learning and Housing Committee in May or June of 2019, though this may be subject to change to ensure the Council has sufficient time to consider and respond to matters arising from the statutory consultation.

The statutory consultation will be carried out in line with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

Details of the consultation proposals will be published on the council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations