An Aberdeen school for the French children should be taken over by the local authority, a councillor has said.
The Lycee Franais MLF Total d’Aberdeen, on Whitehall Place, is a private school attached to council operated Aberdeen Grammar School.
Run by oil company Total it has proved a place to learn for generations of French children in the city.
But now council chiefs have begun discussions with the firm and their leasing agents about its future.
The school has now vacated the building, which is lying empty although Total’s lease remains in place.
Last night Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells councillor Martin Greig said the authority should take over the building to be used as part of Grammar and raised concerns it could be sold off by the council.
He said: “There is a strong case to allocate the French School building to the Grammar.
“I would like to pursue this as a benefit for the pupils. A larger school campus can accommodate more pupils. Curriculum choice would improve. It is a popular school so it would be appropriate to recover the French School building which was originally used by the Grammar.
“The Grammar is a popular and respected school and should be allowed to grow in size. young people deserve the best possible educational opportunities.
“With more pupils and teachers, the larger size of the school would mean more subject choices. Currently, the curriculum is becoming very limited.
“It is time for the Grammar to be given back its property so that more can join this welcoming and positive school community. The annexe should be returned to the school so that there is a larger campus, a larger school and more course options.
“I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats in power prioritised the needs of the school. We were able to achieve the new sports hall and the expanded sports pavilion at Rubislaw.
“However, now the school has become forgotten again. The LibDems are determined to stand up for the school and allow it to grow and continue to flourish.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment while there is still a lease in place.”
