DWINDLING pupil numbers and the impact on children's education have been highlighted after East Lothian Council revealed plans to mothball a village’s primary school - the second county school to face temporary closure in a matter of months.

Youngsters at Saltoun Primary School will return from their October break by attending Pencaitland Primary School.

Nicola McDowell, head of education at East Lothian Council, attended a meeting at Saltoun Primary School last month, with at least one parent concerned about how the process had been handled.

The parent, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Courier: “Parents understand that council budgets are stretched and that the number of pupils has dwindled, but the way the council have handled communicating the closure has been appalling.”

Now, a letter has been sent to parents highlighting what will be happening after the October break.

It reads: "Please be assured that I understand your strength of feeling about this temporary decision but hope that you understand that, with the current very small roll, I cannot guarantee the best possible educational experience for your children, nor ensure the council secures best value.

"I'm aware that many of you have already started to look at other schools and settings to allow you to consider the best option for your child.

"Please be assured that we will work with you to make your child's transition as smooth as possible, and that individualised transition plans will be made with you."

Fewer than 10 pupils

Currently, the school is attended by fewer than 10 pupils, with that number having dropped over recent months.

The parent was concerned that East Lothian Council had failed to consult with the community before making the announcement regarding the school’s future.

They said: “This announcement of a sudden effective closure demonstrated a lack of basic due diligence and commitment to care from the council.”

Parents and carers have also met with Councillor Shamin Akhtar, as well as Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, and former primary school teacher Martin Whitfield, who is now a South Scotland MSP.

The parent added: “Before the summer holidays, the nursery was almost at capacity.

“Now it is down to seven children, with few places at nearby nurseries amid a childcare crisis.

“The council also allowed two new children to start the nursery class a week before the meeting.

“From the speed of the decision, it would appear the intention to close the school was clear at that point, knowingly false-starting a key milestone and interrupting the sensitive transition to nursery for those families.

“The council also allowed parents to buy uniforms over the summer, despite the continuing challenges for families due to the cost of living.”

The decision to mothball the primary school comes just months after nearby Humbie Primary School was temporarily closed due to dwindling pupil numbers.

READ MORE: Plans revealed to 'mothball' Humbie Primary School

At that time, it was announced that all children living in the Humbie Primary School catchment area would instead fall under the Pencaitland Primary School area.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council highlighted the cost per child at Saltoun Primary School for 2022/23 was £11,117 based on a school roll of 23 children.

The figure compares with an East Lothian primary school average of £6,964, with the school roll at Saltoun Primary School having dropped since the figure was calculated.

She said: “Saltoun Primary School’s roll has been falling and fewer than 10 children were enrolled in the school for the new academic session across P1-P7.

“As an authority we have a responsibility to ensure that we are providing best value throughout our services and across East Lothian.

"Having schools operating significantly below capacity does not represent best value for our Council or demonstrate equitable allocation of financial resource across the county.

"Educational benefits and the quality of learning for children is also compromised when operating with such small numbers.

“The preferred primary school is Pencaitland which is a short distance away and our education service is working with families to support children’s transitions.

"Nursery does not operate within catchment and our early years team will work with each family to identify where they would wish their child to attend from the full range of options available to them.

“We want to ensure all children can access high quality learning and are working with families of Saltoun Primary School to help with their next steps.”