Consultation on proposals to discontinue education provision at St Margaret's RC Primary School

Consideration of alternative options and other implications

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The council’s Learning Estate Strategy 2017 – 2047 cautions against the building of smaller primary schools, with capacity for up to 210 pupils, and prefers a model with larger primary schools which are more sustainable, particularly in non-rural areas.  It is therefore considered preferable to progress a solution for the St Margaret’s RC Primary School community aligned with the council’s preference for larger primary schools.

The Denominational Review looked at a number of options to stabilise and strengthen RC provision and denominational education within and across Midlothian. Informal consultation meetings were held with staff, parents and representatives of the Catholic Church over the period of the review. Parental support for the RC schools in Midlothian in terms of choice of school remained strong throughout this period with the exception of St Margaret’s RC PS. The school roll at St Margaret’s RC PS fell from 40 to 18 pupils and there were indications that a number of these children would move to other schools in the near future.    

In June 2021 officers of the council held virtual meetings with St Margaret’s RC PS parents and representatives of the Catholic Church informing them of the intention to propose to proceed without delay to statutory consultation on the proposal to close St Margaret’s RC PS.

Consequently on 29 June 2021 at full Council, the Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships was authorised to undertake statutory consultation on the proposal to permanently discontinue primary education at St Margaret’s RC Primary School and to extend the catchment areas of the neighbouring primary schools to include the St Margaret’s catchment area.