Council bosses have confirmed for the first time that they are considering closing Pitlochry High School.
Parents and staff have called for assurances over the school’s future, after it was named in the second stage of a wide-ranging estates review.
The education shake-up — which focuses on ageing school buildings running at less than 60% capacity — has already proposed the closure of five primary schools.
Now Perth and Kinross Council has revealed its list of options for 1970s-built Pitlochry High, which provides education from nursery-age to the end of S4.
The officers’ suggestions, which will be scrutinised over the next six to eight months, include improving the condition of the school building and introducing S5 and S6 to increase occupancy.
Officers will also look at ways of extending the catchment area to raise school roll, while improving the condition of the building.
The fourth option is to move S4 pupils to Breadalbane Academy and review use of the high school building.
The final option is “move the secondary pupils to Breadalbane Academy and close Pitlochry High School”.
Parents and members of the community will have their say on the options as part of an extensive consultation exercise in November.
Feedback will be used to put together a report for the council’s lifelong learning committee in May next year.
Vice-convener Callum Purves said: “Absolutely no decisions have been taken and the views expressed as part of the options appraisal process will all be taken into consideration at committee.”
The Conservative councillor added: “The council continues to invest in the school estate with projects to the value of £178 million under way, or planned for the future.
“These include substantial upgrades to secondary schools and new or replacements and new or replacement primary schools.
“In addition, essential maintenance will continue to take place in all schools regardless of the transformation programme taking place.”
He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to encourage more parents and members of the wider community to engage actively in the consultation process.”
Local SNP councillor Mike Williamson said: “These options are concerning, but not too surprising.
“I can’t imaging the stress that this uncertainty is putting on parents and staff at the moment.
“And this continued uncertainty will put families off moving to the area.”
Local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney said: “From meeting with parents and local residents, it is clear that closing Pitlochry High School would be a hammer blow for the local community.
“The Tory council seem determined to take an axe to rural schools and further isolate our communities, regardless of the consequences.”
Local Conservative councillor John Duff added: “The options for appraisal include some very positive outcomes for Pitlochry High School and I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation events.
“We want to hear the views of parents, staff, residents and businesses on what is best for the pupils’ education and the wider community. I look forward to a productive process that will arrive at the best outcome for Pitlochry.”
Independent councillor Xander McDade said: “I’m pleased to see that the option to extend the school offering to S5 and S6 and improve the building condition – something I and others locally have wanted to see for a long time – is being offered as an option.
“However, I’m disappointed that the administration is still consulting on an option of closure after they recently stated publicly and unequivocally that they had no intentions to close the school.”
He added: “I would encourage all members of the community to attend the consultation events and respond to the consultation and support the option to extend the school to include an S5 and S6.
“I would again urge the Administration to follow through on the public commitment they have made to the people of Pitlochry stating they do not plan to close the school and remove that option from the public consultation. By not removing that option it undermines public trust and confidence in the process.”
