Aberdeen City Council has revealed plans to slash the number of primary schools in Northfield and Bridge of Don.
The future of six of Northfield Academy’s feeder schools is now being considered with three more in the Oldmachar catchment.
The council says this is due to falling pupil numbers, which is leaving a “significant amount of unused space” in primary school buildings.
The six Northfield schools under threat are Bramble Brae, Heathryburn, Manor Park, Muirfield, Quarryhill and Westpark.
In Oldmachar, the schools involved in the shake-up are Danestone, Glashieburn and Middleton Park.
The local authority says pupil numbers at the three are “well below” the available space, with roles expected to fall even further in the next seven years, making the schools “inefficient to run”.
Parents and carers of nursery and primary pupils were told the news in a letter issued today, which outlines plans for a feasibility study.
Families and the wider community are being asked for their thoughts, and have until June 16 to share their feedback.
Second blow for Northfield in weeks
The proposals are a second blow for the Northfield community, following the closure of Northfield Library last month. The council is now facing legal action over their cost-saving moves to shut libraries and pools.
Concerns have already been raised about the impact shutting a school would have, particularly if it results in larger class-size numbers.
Inspectors said the school, on Granitehill Place, was failing to develop a “calm, safe and purposeful learning environment” for pupils and gave it the lowest grade in all four areas of assessment.
‘No decisions made yet’
In the letter seen by The Press and Journal, service manager Andrew Jones stresses no decision has yet been made.
He writes: “I am writing with details of a feasibility study which the council is carrying out to look at primary schools in the Northfield area, and how the number of schools in the area could be reduced in the future.
“The School Estate Plan has identified that pupil numbers at some of the schools in the Northfield Associated Schools Group (ASG) are falling, and there is a significant amount of unused space in these buildings. Officers have been instructed to carry out a feasibility study to identify what actions the council can take to reduce the number of primary schools in the ASG.
“It is important to note that no decisions have yet been taken on whether any schools should close.
“The feasibility study is the first stage in looking at what the options might be, the advantages and disadvantages of these, and how they might impact on schools and communities.”
Proposals follow thrown-out merger
Four of the schools under consideration were previously part of merger plans.
In 2013, the council proposed merging Middleton Park and Glashieburn schools, and Bramble Brae with Quarryhill.
However, the idea was dropped amid backlash from parents following a public consultation.
Pupils, parents, staff and community groups are being encouraged to give feedback on the study. Further information is on the council’s consultation hub, or click here for Northfield and here for Oldmachar.
It is hoped the comments given will help “identify the best way forward”.
However, Labour’s former convener of education, M. Tauqeer Malik believes the proposal for Northfield in particular does “not make sense”.
He said: “There was a very good reason why Aberdeen Labour refused to close schools in Northfield in our term of office.
“And that was because in a regeneration area such as Northfield it is important that children’s well-being and welfare are at the forefront of educational attainment.
“It is obvious that this SNP administration do not understand the importance of education in a regeneration area cancelling support for Sistema and now looking to close schools in Northfield whilst commuting to build a new school at Hazlehead.”
Mr Malik also raised concerns regarding bigger classroom sizes which might only add to the issues raised at Northfield Academy.
He added: “I really struggle to understand how closing a primary school and forcing bigger classes will help with the recovery plan associated with Northfield Academy.”
Estate shake-up will provide ‘best possible education opportunities’
However the administration’s education convener Martin Greig insisted the move would provide the “best possible education opportunities.”
He said: “The stakeholder engagement is an informal process that will help us consider how children in Northfield can have the best possible education opportunities.
“More formal consultation can take place at a later stage. Schools need to be of the right size to maximise the choices and services that are provided for the benefit of the young people.”
Conversation