Fife School To Close

It's been confirmed that Crombie Primary School in Dunfermline is to shut permanently.

Fife Council has informed parents by letter today that the Scottish Government has given the go ahead to local authority plans.

Children are to transfer to Limekilns Primary School.

A review of the schools estate in Fife is aiming to reduce some of the 16, 000 surplus places as part of budget savings.

Cllr. Bryan Poole, Executive Spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People and Families, said: "Closing a school is not something that is done without long and careful consideration. As a council we have a duty to provide the best service and the best value for money for all of the children and families in Fife. We simply can't continue to provide that level of service if huge amounts of our budgets are taken up maintaining deteriorating school buildings.

"We should be spending that money in more meaningful ways, providing the very best learning environment which will help our teachers to continue to improve the learning experiences of our young people. This decision will help us do just that."

Cllr. Poole said: "I understand that closing any school creates concerns for parents but as Councillors for the whole of Fife we have a responsibility to consider what is in the longer term, best interests of all children in Fife. It was on that basis that we considered the school rationalisation programme.

"I'd like to thank the parents, staff and the local community for the dignity and patience they have shown throughout this process. As plans are put in place to support the transfer of pupils to their new school I hope they will continue to work with us as we move on with the process."