Axe falls on Bressay

SCOTTISH ministers will not call in Shetland Islands Council’s decision last month to close the primary school on the isle of Bressay.

The council received a letter confirming the government accepted the closure of the small primary was received on Friday.

As a result from the start of the next summer term in August, the four pupils attending the school will have to take a 35 minute trip by taxi and ferry to Bell’s Brae primary in Lerwick. The island’s nursery will also close.

The council is to set up a ‘transition group’ to help the pupils make the adjustment to their new environment.

Twelve other primary age children from Bressay already attend school in the town, leading some councillors to say it was the parents who chose to close the school.

SIC education and families committee chair Vaila Wishart said she understood this was a difficult time for pupils, parents and staff.

“Now that the uncertainty is over we can begin work to ensure the smoothest transition possible,” she added.