At a meeting of full council on Thursday 26 March 2026, it was agreed to proceed to a statutory consultation to permanently close and rezone the catchment area of Fountainhall Primary School and ELC.
Fountainhall Primary School was mothballed in June 2025 after its roll fell to one pupil. The school roll had steadily declined from 24 pupils in 2020/21. The Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) provision at the school has been mothballed since 2023 after numbers dropped to four. Enrolments had declined each year since 2020.
Following Council in June 2025, a full review of the primary and ELC provision began in Autumn 2025, including a community survey which was shared throughout the school, early learning, and community channels.
The review concluded that statutory consultation on permanent closure is favoured, given declining numbers and community preferences.
Council agreed that a public notice will be published confirming the decision to proceed to consulting on closure in accordance with The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (As Amended) noting dates for the Statutory Consultation as provisionally agreed with Education Scotland to begin on 24 August 2026 and last six weeks, with a minimum of 30 school days to ensure robust consultation and engagement on the proposals with all affected schools and communities.
There will be a public meeting within the Statutory Closure Consultation period which will be open for all to attend, with a chance to hear more about the proposals and to have views recorded for the purpose of the Statutory Consultation.
A draft Proposal Paper for the Statutory Closure Consultation will be brought back to Council, for approval prior to publication and the commencement of the Statutory Consultation. The date for the public meeting will also be announced.