Options appraisal proposed for future of Burravoe Primary School
AN OPTIONS appraisal could be undertaken on the long-term future of the Burravoe Primary School in Yell.
A report which will go in front of councillors on Monday says discussions have already been held with parents of children at the school, and its headteacher.
The report said the school has four pupils on its roll at the moment, and six staff members.
It added under Shetland Islands Council policy, the school would be considered for mothballing September this year. The projected roll for 2027/28 remains at four pupils.
Other options likely be considered in the options appraisal would be a move towards a statutory consultation on permanent closure, and “any other reasonable alternative”.
But the report said: “It should be stressed that the purpose of this report is not to embark on consultation in relation to statutory closure at this time.
“The purpose is to explore all the options available in terms of education at Burravoe Primary School.”
A “stakeholder engagement and consultation plan” would be created as part of an options appraisal that would seek views from parents, carers, staff, pupils, residents of Yell and community councils.
Figures show that the roll at the school has dropped from 11 in 2020/21 – an occupancy rate of 37 per cent – to four, which equates to an occupancy rate of 13 per cent.
SIC procedures state that on schools on mainland Shetland, Yell, Unst and Whalsay will be considered for mothballing if the school roll falls below 20 per cent capacity.
The report adds that there is no early learning and childcare provision at Burravoe, with children travelling to Mid Yell Junior High School for this instead.
Following an options appraisal, a report would be presented to the SIC’s education and families committee detailing the outcome and the next steps that would be required. It is anticipated the report will be presented within the 2026/27 academic year.
A decision on approving the preparation of an options appraisal will come before members of the SIC’s education and families committee on Monday. It will also go in front of the full council at a meeting scheduled in August.
There are two other schools in Yell – Mid Yell Junior High School and Cullivoe Primary School. The projected primary roll at Mid Yell in 2026/27 is 25, and while Cullivoe stands at nine.
In 2024 the SIC mothballed the Skeld Primary School, while primaries in Papa Stour, Fetlar and Skerries remain mothballed.
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