A statutory consultation on the proposed permanent closure of Eddleston Primary School will now proceed. The School has been mothballed since 2022 due to a sustained decline in pupil numbers.
Consultation open
The Proposal Report was considered and approved at the full Council meeting on 4 December. The statutory consultation is now open and will run until 13 February 2026, giving all interested parties the opportunity to share their views on the future of the school.
The proposals include permanently closing Eddleston Primary School and rezoning the catchment area to either Newlands Primary School (the current temporary catchment) or Kingsland Primary School in Peebles. Feedback will be sought on these options and others, if suggested, before making further recommendations to elected members.
Councillor Julie Pirone, Executive Member for Education, Youth Development and Lifelong Learning
“We recognise that this has been a challenging time for all those affected, and our main focus remains providing certainty and support for families and children in the Eddleston area.
“The statutory consultation is an important opportunity for everyone to contribute their perspectives, and I strongly encourage all members of the community to share their thoughts and feedback. We are fully committed to considering all local input before any final decisions are reached.”
This process is required under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (as amended), which ensures that communities are fully informed and consulted on major changes to the school estate. The Council’s recommendations follow a detailed review, which concluded that permanent closure would provide clarity for the community and allow for effective long-term planning of educational provision.
No final decision will be made until the statutory consultation is completed, all representations have been considered, and Scottish Ministers have reviewed the outcome in line with national legislation.
The Eddleston Primary School closure consultation will run from 8 December 2025 and until 15 February 2026 inclusive and can be accessed on Citizen space.
Paper copies of the consultation are available by emailing: SchoolEstates@scotborders.gov.uk or by contacting The Eddleston Primary Closure Proposal, Education and Children’s Services, SBC HQ, Newtown St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0SA.
A public meeting will take place before the consultation closes on Wednesday 21 January 2026, at Eddleston Village Hall at 6pm.
All are invited to hear more about the proposals and provide feedback, and we would welcome all to attend.