Bressay primary school to close

Bressay Primary School is set to close. Photo: Charlie Umphray

Bressay primary school to close

Bressay Primary School and nursery will close its doors on 4^th July after Scottish Ministers announced today that they will not be “calling in” the Council’s decision to close the school.

The SIC last month backed a proposal to close Bressay in light of falling school rolls that had seen 12 out of 16 youngsters eligible to attend the school go to Bell’s Brae in Lerwick instead.

Bressay was not part of the Council’s list of Blueprint for Education school closures but was added on because of its dwindling roll. A move to mothball the school was also rejected by the council.

A transition group will now be set up, led by the “quality improvement officer” for Bressay school, and including relevant school staff from both schools. The role of this group will be to plan the effective transition of pupils. It will ensure pupils are supported in getting used to the new school environment at Bell’s Brae.

Education and families committee chairwoman Vaila Wishart said: “I understand this will be a difficult time for the pupils, parents and staff of Bressay Primary School and Nursery Class, but now that the uncertainty is over we can begin work to ensure the smoothest transition possible.”

An SIC statement says that teaching at Bressay will be discontinued from 4th July and pupils will continue their education at Bell’s Brae Primary School from 20th August. Pre-school provision at Bressay Nursery Class will also be discontinued from 4th July, with provision for eligible pupils continuing as per the Council’s admissions policy.