Pupil numbers for more than a third of schools in Edinburgh earmarked for closure meet or exceed the occupancy threshold set by a public watchdog.
Pupil numbers for more than a third of schools in Edinburgh earmarked for closure meet or exceed the occupancy threshold recommended by a watchdog.
Audit Scotland, which checks whether local authorities are making good use of public funds, advises that schools should have at least 60% capacity.
Audit Scotland, which checks whether local authorities are making good use of public funds, advises that schools should have at least 60% capacity.
Following a review last month, Edinburgh City Council said it planned to close 16 schools across the area.
Following a review last month, Edinburgh City Council said it planned to close 16 schools across the area.
Figures show that six of the threatened schools have higher occupancy rates.
Figures show that six of the threatened schools have higher occupancy rates.
The local authority plans to close 13 primaries and three secondaries.
The local authority plans to close 13 primaries and three secondaries.
Six nursery schools and four community centres are also to be shut.
Six nursery schools and four community centres are also to be shut.
High costs
Audit Scotland provides information enabling councils to make decisions about their future direction Anne McCubbinAudit Scotland
Council leaders cited falling rolls and the high cost of running "half empty deteriorating buildings" as key reasons for the decision.
Council leaders cited falling rolls and the high cost of running "half empty deteriorating buildings" as key reasons for the decision.
According to figures released by the local authority, primary schools such as Abbeyhill are currently sitting at 91% capacity, with St Cuthbert's on 82%, Dalmeny on 84%, Stockbridge on 89% and St Catherine's at 72%.
According to figures released by the local authority, primary schools such as Abbeyhill are currently sitting at 91% capacity, with St Cuthbert's on 82%, Dalmeny on 84%, Stockbridge on 89% and St Catherine's at 72%.
Drummond High School is at 79% capacity.
Drummond High School is at 79% capacity.
The figures go well beyond the 60% threshold set by Audit Scotland.
The figures go well beyond the 60% occupancy guideline recommended by Audit Scotland.
Council leaders want to sell or redeploy the buildings across the city to cut the high operating costs of running schools.
The watchdog's spokeswoman, Anne McCubbin, said: "Audit Scotland provides information enabling councils to make decisions about their future direction.
"It's up to them to decide whether their schools are viable or not. Our 60% occupancy measure is simply a tool to help them consider their position."
Council leaders want to sell or redeploy the buildings across Edinburgh to cut the high operating costs of running schools.
Officials have said that empty registers are not the only reason for the closure plan with issues such as those whose pupils do not live in the school's catchment area.
Officials have said that empty registers are not the only reason for the closure plan with issues such as those whose pupils do not live in the school's catchment area.
Campaigners insist the thinking is fundamentally flawed.
Campaigners insist the thinking is fundamentally flawed.
Should schools which are not running at 100% capacity be subject to closure? Have your say on the matter and tell us your experiences.
Should schools which are not running at 100% capacity be subject to closure? Have your say on the matter and tell us your experiences.
Edinburgh Council appears to be targetting schools and nurseries which have places for pupils with special needs and the extra associated costs. Victoria Park, Abbeyhill, Westfield Court, St Cuthberts, Craigentinny and for all I know more of the schools on the list have excellent facilities for children with autism and other additional support needs. There is NO mention of this in the review report. The Council are attacking the provision for our children through the back door. They have to be stopped.a mum, edinburgh
This policy led by the Liberals is hard to understand. No doubt some schools might need closed - but not this full list. Few support it and fewer still know where the council's coming from. I hope the SNP government step in and show some leadership here. I know the SNP are in some sort of junior partnership in Edinburgh so I find it hard to know why when they've got so much else right, this is clearly not.Gary, Edinburgh
The only reason why Abbeyhill is being targeted is for the land that surrounds it. We have excellent facilities to allow our children to run around for the recommended 2 hours every day. Abbeyhill also has done well over the years training and developing 2 excellent football teams.How in-sensitive of the council to send surveryors around a day after our petition to close the school. Sending 200 extra students to Leith which sadly has no extensive playing land is asking for trouble. How do Leith parents feel about squeezing 400 students into their school??Fiona, Edinburgh
less pupils = smaller classes = more chance teachers have to identify and help children that are struggling with lessons = less disruptive pupils = happier environment for all.Or am I making tooooooooo simpleQlady, Dukinfield UK
These schools are the property of the population of Edinburgh. Not the property of those elected to run the city for a few short years. If the schools are to be closed then the owners i.e. the taxpayers in this city, should have the greatest say. Consultation will be a waste of time if those elected are not willing to listen to the people affected by these short sighted decisions.Dawn , Edinburgh, Scotland
The SNP/LibDem council has made a dogs breakfast of this proposal - a resignation and a dignified exit is the only way forward for Jenni Dawe.Doug, Edinburgh
Absolutely not! While Stockbridge is not at 100%, it is close enough to justify it's existence, as is Abbeyhill and others on the list. It would rip the heart out of the communities to close these schools, not to mention breaking the hearts of the children who attend the schools. I cannot understand why the council think we should have to walk our children for close to 2 miles to get them to school, when there is a perfectly good one right around the corner. The last thing this city needs is more unaffordable housing, which is almost certainly what would happen. In the Stockbridge area, there are dozens of luxury flats lying empty. Closing the school will make the sale of these flats even more difficult. Gillian, Edinburgh
I am appalled at the proposals for school closures, especially that of St Cuthbert's, which my brother attends. St Cuthbert's has a fantastic Language Unit in its ground, and there appears to have been no consideration of this facility, except to indicate that it may be moved elsewhere. St Cuthbert's is currently at 82% capacity, well over Government guidelines. Also, I believe that the school population in Edinburgh is rising, not falling. The proposals are ridiculous. Hazel, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Council has a less than satisfactory record at managing it's spending over the years. Closing down schools appears to be the easy option especially when the land is on prime housing land. More overpriced, badly built flats for the city. Great!micheal, Edinburgh
Don't make the same mistakes as west lothian.... they closed schools and built housing. Now there is a shortage of secondary schools to accomodate pupils. Some villages have had to take legal actional against the authority to allow pupils to be allowed into schools in the catchment area. There has been an influx of private housing and Polish immigrants pushing the population up.anon, west lothian
Is Edinburgh Council then going to run free school buses to ferry the displaced children to their new schools? One minute the council is trying to practically ban cars from Edinburgh's streets, the next it is creating the need for more school runs. Madness. And what of the teachers who will lose their jobs?Jan, Edinburgh
Of course they should not. The council should be looking at saving money from their operating budget not from closing schools. Once they have sold the schools off for housing and spend/wasted the money what will happen then? Has there been any benefit to education from them selling off all the school playing fields over the last 20 years?martin, Edinburgh
Of course they should not. The council should be looking at saving money from their operating budget not from closing schools. Once they have sold the schools off for housing and spend/wasted the money what will happen then? Has there been any benefit to education from them selling off all the school playing fields over the last 20 years?martin, Edinburgh
