Fewer pupils mean schools in Highlands could be cut

THE number of schools in the Highlands could be cut because of falling rolls and ageing buildings.

The region's education committee yesterday agreed to carry out a review of the school provision, with the aim of moving pupils to better-quality buildings and making better use of funding.

Highland currently has 31,715 pupils in 183 primaries, 29 secondaries and three special schools. But numbers have fallen from 33,588 since 2000.

Across Scotland, the school roll fell by 69,567 between 2000 and 2008, with 125 primaries and 13 secondaries being lost.

A total of 26 per cent of Highland primaries were built before 1900 and 24 per cent between 1901 and 1969.

More than half the number of secondaries (53 per cent) were built between 1901 and 1969 and 7 per cent before 1900.

A report to Highland's education committee yesterday said

there was a significant number of schools in the area with very few pupils. However, these were usually in sparsely populated areas and the school was seen as a vital community facility.