Press Release
Uyeasound Primary School to close, with conditions
The Scottish Government has today informed Shetland Islands Council’s Children’s Service that the closure of Uyeasound Primary School can go ahead with the following conditions:
- That the Council inform Ministers of how it intends to monitor progress going forward to realise the educational benefits it has described;
- That at the end of each of the next three academic years, the Council will send the Scottish Government a summary report of the progress being made towards realising the educational benefits described. The Government may decide to waive the need for subsequent reports if at the end of an academic year it is satisfied that adequate progress towards the required outcome is being made; and
- That the Council propose a new date for the move to allow effective transition to take place and in setting a new date, shall liaise closely with Education Scotland.
Uyeasound Primary School will close on 21 December 2011, and pupils will continue their education at Baltasound Junior High School primary department after the Christmas break.
Councillor Betty Fullerton, Chair of the Education and Families Committee said of the decision, “This brings an end to a very unsettling period for the school and community. A school closure is difficult for all concerned, but at least now parents, teachers and pupils will be able to look to the future”.
A transition group will now be set up, led by the Quality Improvement Officer for Uyeasound Primary School, and will include relevant school staff from both schools. The role of this group will be to plan the effective transfer of pupils from one school to the other. The group will ensure pupils are supported in getting used to their new school environment at Baltasound Junior High School primary department.
Parents will be contacted with further details of the transition arrangements to be put in place. Opportunities to meet collectively, and individually, will be made available as soon as possible.
Shetland Islands Council voted to close Uyeasound Primary on 17 May 2011.
Click here for the detailed decision by the Scottish Ministers.