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North-east primary school mothballed until 2019 as search for headteacher continues

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A school faces an uncertain future due to problems recruiting a new headteacher.

Councillors will discuss the temporary closure of Longhaven School at a meeting next week.

The facility closed at the end of March following a sudden decision by Aberdeenshire Council after failing to appoint a senior staff member for the role.

Despite interviews being held and three adverts, the position has remained unfilled.

When pupils and staff left the school for the Easter holidays, the doors closed for possibly the final time.

Peterhead South and Cruden councillor Stephen Smith was involved in a successful campaign to save the school from closure in 2005.

And he agreed that the temporary mothballing of the school was the “right thing to do”.

He said: “It may well be that the school does not reopen but at least the community will have been given a chance this way.

“We know that there has been interest in the headteacher vacancy since Easter and if an appointable candidate comes forward then we can take things from there.

“But the future very much depends on a headteacher wanting to teach there, and parents wanting their children to be educated there.”

Pupils from Longhaven School have been moved to alternative institutes in the surrounding area, with transport costs of £600 being covered by the Aberdeenshire Council school transport budget.

A report prepared by director of education and children’s services Laurence Findlay states: “Officers have been working closely with the school and parents since March 2018 regarding ongoing staffing and recruitment challenges at the school.

“As previously reported to the committee, the sole applicant for the post of head teacher at Longhaven School withdrew.

“The dual headteacher, whose substantive school was Burnhaven, and the principal teacher were no longer able to continue delivering education at Longhaven School following the spring break.

“A decision to temporarily mothball the school from October 12, 2018 was taken by the service.

“All support staff at the school have been offered alternative arrangements at local schools in line with their existing contracts.”

Members of the Education and Children’s Services Committee have also been urged to ask at the meeting for an updated report on the situation in February 2019.