Statutory consultation on closing Burravoe and Skeld schools recommended by SIC officers
The final decision on whether to proceed with consultations lies with councillors
COUNCILLORS will be recommended to start a statutory consultation on the prospect of closing Burravoe Primary School in Yell.
A final decision on whether to go ahead with a consultation will be made at a meeting of the full council on 9 December.
A statutory consultation on permanent closure could also be launched into the Skeld Primary School, which is already mothballed.
Options appraisals for the future of both schools have already been undertaken with input from the communities.
A report set to come before a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) education and families committee on Monday says statutory consultations on closure are the recommended way forward.
This is a different process than mothballing given that an outcome could be permanent closure.
Four pupils are on the roll for the Burravoe Primary School in Yell for the 2026/27 academic year, falling from 13 in 2017/18.
A report to councillors said current projections indicate that the school roll is expected to be zero in 2027/28.
Skeld Primary School meanwhile was mothballed in 2024 due to its declining roll.
For Burravoe, SIC officers said progressing to a statutory consultation on closure was the most appropriate next step following the evidence gathered through the appraisal process, including the “assessment of reasonable alternatives, the likely educational impact, the likely effect on the local community and the likely effect of different travelling arrangements”.
But the report reiterated that progressing with a consultation would not itself “constitute a decision to permanently close Burravoe Primary School at that stage”.
“Rather, it would provide an opportunity to further undertake a formal and transparent process through which pupils, parents and carers, staff, the local community, statutory consultees and other interested parties can express their views and provide further evidence in respect of a developed closure proposal paper before any permanent decision is taken,” it added.
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There are currently eight children of P1-P7 age residing within the catchment area of Burravoe Primary School.
However, the majority of primary-aged children residing within the Burravoe catchment attend Mid Yell Junior High School.
An options appraisal report said that the school building has “limited use” as a community facility.
“Collectively, these factors indicate ongoing long-term uncertainty regarding the future demand for education provision at Burravoe Primary School and are the reasons for the formulation of any closure proposal,” it added.
Attendees at an in-person consultation event generally agreed that it would be preferable if the school was mothballed rather than permanently closed.
However, the majority of people responding to an online survey felt that the SIC should move towards consultation on permanent closure.
Consultation was also held with pupils of Burravoe and Mid Yell Junior High School.
The options appraisal report added: “Overall, pupils spoke positively about their experiences at both schools, frequently highlighting friendships, supportive staff, feeling included and opportunities to learn and play.
“Views regarding the future of Burravoe Primary School varied, although the feedback demonstrated strong attachment to the school among pupils attending Burravoe and an interest in ensuring that the school or building continues to make a positive contribution to children and the wider community.”
The report’s conclusion said that temporary closure would retain the possibility of reopening should future demand emerge.
“However, it would not address the underlying issue of declining and projected pupil numbers, would not provide certainty regarding the long-term future of education provision and would prolong uncertainty regarding the future use of the school building,” it added.
For Skeld Primary School, annual reviews have taken since it was mothballed in 2024, but parents have not submitted any enrolment requests as part of this process.
Before temporary closure, the school had experienced a sustained decline in pupil numbers. By March 2024, the roll had fallen to four pupils.
With children in the area attending other schools, and “no identified housing or population developments” within the community identified, consultation on closure has been suggested as the way forward.
At an options appraisal event earlier this year on the future of the Skeld school, a number of attendees are said to have expressed the view that the temporary closure of the school had “impacted on the local community, particularly in relation to employment opportunities and the ability to attract families into the area”.
The options appraisal report added: “Most attendees expressed concerns that West Mainland communities can feel overlooked when decisions regarding services are being considered and emphasised the importance of ensuring that local circumstances are fully understood as part of the options appraisal process.”
The idea of reopening the building as a West Mainland early learning and childcare setting, or an additional support needs (ASN) facility, were among the suggestions raised by the community.
Statutory consultation would involve a consultation period of at least six weeks.
This would also involve a public meeting, while inspectors would be required to submit a report on the educational aspects of the closure proposal.
Skeld is not the only school in Shetland that is currently is mothballed, which is described as a temporary closure.
Primary schools on the islands of Fetlar, Papa Stour and Skerries are also mothballed.
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