Plans to mothball Largue Primary School in Aberdeenshire reversed by local council

Parents have spoken of their delight after plans to mothball an Aberdeenshire primary school were reversed.

Families with children at Largue Primary School in Huntly were told at the end of March that the site would be closed from August due to low pupil numbers.

However Aberdeenshire Council have now confirmed the closure will not go ahead following an increase in the number of pupils attending the school.

In a letter to parents, the director of education, Laurence Findlay said: “The roll at Largue School during April 2023 increased to ten pupils, in August there is a predicted roll of nine.

“As a result, (I) have made the decision that Largue school will remain open.”

Parents have been campaigning over the last three weeks to have the decision reversed, calling the council’s plans “short sighted.”

If a school roll falls to eight, the council says it must consider mothballing the site.

Paula McRitchie, who has two children at the school, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the news.

“We received a letter after school today to confirm the decision, we’ve had a new pupil start after the Easter holidays which I think has helped with our campaign.

“It’s a weight off for us and our children, and it really is a brilliant school.”

Aberdeenshire Council added that pupil numbers will continue to be monitored at the primary school.