Changes to an Aberdeenshire town’s primary school network could be backed by councillors tomorrow.
The rezoning of Westhill’s four primaries – Crombie, Skene, Elrick and Westhill – could be adopted by Aberdeenshire Council’s education, learning and leisure committee.
The review of the school zones was backed by the Garioch area committee last month following a public consultation in 2015.
Councillors are being asked to back minor changes to the school network to take into account new housing developments around Westhill.
Under the plans, existing pupils will not be forced to move to different schools and siblings will be able to attend the same schools.
Council officers have suggested that all of the new Broadshade development be zoned to Crombie School in order for neighbouring Skene to hold onto its “rural identity”.
Due to expansion to the west of Crombie School, the Morven Drive area will be rezoned to Westhill School.
However the council’s director of education and children’s services, Maria Walker, said Crombie school “may need to be extended” to cope with incoming pupils.
The catchment revisions may allow temporary accommodation at Skene School to be removed and the cap at Elrick to be lifted.
The changes will come into effect in August this year if backed.
Mrs Walker added: “This proposed rezoning tidies up rural parts of the catchments, ensuring they follow roads and postcode boundaries wherever possible, and also addresses capacity issues within the four schools.
“The recommendation is that the council should adopt the proposed changes, but with some minor amendments to them.
“These alterations to the original proposal take into account all feedback from the consultation. There was a strong feeling in the community that Skene School should remain small and parents within Broadshade wanted to attend Crombie School.”