Whitletts Primary School to close

Dec 4 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WHITLETTS Primary will close.

Councillors have agreed to close the school in its centenary year.

Pupils will be transferred to nearby Braehead Primary in June next year.

The Whitletts Primary School buildings will be demolished soon after.

The decision marks months of speculation about the school’s future.

Parents of the school raised concerns about bullying, exclusion rates at Braehead, and changes to the secondary school catchment area.

But the decision to close the school went ahead at a meeting of the leadership panel last week.

Free school transport will be provided for one year for those who live in the Whitletts catchment area at a cost of £16,000 in 2010/11 and £9000 in 2011/12.

The decision marks the end of an era for Whitletts Primary.

The earliest of the three school buildings dates back to 1909.

The school has a capacity of 166, but the school roll this year is 64.

Councillor Hywel Davies said: “We will do everything possible to support the pupils before and after they move school.

“Pupils will be taken to their new schools towards the end of the summer term, so that they can become familiar with their new school and build relationships with other pupils before the summer holidays.

“This is very important, as pupils will be able to enjoy their holidays and look forward to moving to another school.”

Meanwhile, councillors also agreed an official merger of Craigpark and Southpark schools.

The new school will be renamed Southcraig School from January next year.

The amalgamation will result in a part year saving of £11,442 and a full year saving of £18,560.