Inveravon Primary School in Moray approved for closure
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A MORAY school that has been unused for almost six years has been approved for closure.
At a meeting of Moray Council's education committee, councillors, without discussion, made a unanimous decision to permanently shut Inveravon Primary School in Ballindalloch.
The school, which had already been mothballed, has not had any pupils since August 2017, with no parents having enrolled their children since then.
A consultation on the closure took place between August 29 and October 7, 2022, with three public meetings in that time
Parents of the 15 children of primary school age in the Inveravon Primary School catchment area said they would continue to send their young ones to other schools, even if Inveravon reopened.
Post-closure, the school's catchment area will be reassigned to three other Speyside primary schools – Knockando, Aberlour and Glenlivet.
An online survey saw 13 people support the decision to close the school, with 14 against. Of 16 parents who completed the proposal, 11 were in favour. Five written responses were all against the proposal.
Pupils travelling from Ballindalloch will receive transport to their chosen school where eligible. This has been ongoing to Knockando and Aberlour since 2017.
One full-time job will be lost due to the closure of the school, with the role of principal teacher at Knockando and Inveravon no longer filled. This will be covered by relief teachers.
Moray Council's consultation report states that an annual saving of £45,175 will be made by closing the unused school.
Final approval of the decision will need to be given at a meeting of the full council on May 24.
