Understand
Plan to shut Tullynessle School rejected by review panel
Overview
Aberdeenshire Council's decision to permanently close Tullynessle School and its nursery has been overturned by an independent School Closure Review Panel. The panel ruled that the council failed to properly consider the impact on nursery provision as a material factor during the consultation process. Parents had campaigned for two years to keep the nursery open, citing negative impacts on travel times, costs, and work hours.
Key points
- Aberdeenshire Council's decision to close Tullynessle School and its nursery has been overturned by the School Closure Review Panel.
- The panel found that the council failed to include the nursery as a relevant and material factor during the consultation stages.
- Parents have campaigned since 2024 to keep the thriving nursery open after the primary school's roll fell below eight pupils.
- The independent panel referred the proposal back to Aberdeenshire Council to revisit its plans and make a fresh decision.
- Local parents reported facing increased travel times, higher fuel costs, and work disruptions due to the closure.