Rezoning of growing north-east town’s schools backed

Plans to shake-up the school catchment area in an Aberdeenshire town were approved yesterday.

Westhill’s four primaries – Crombie, Skene, Elrick and Westhill – will be rezoned to cope with the growing number of houses in the area.

The decision, backed by the council’s education, learning and leisure committee, will bring minor changes for pupils – with those with siblings already at a school able to go to the same one.

Under the plans, youngsters from the new Broadshade development will be zoned to Crombie School in order to avoid an influx of pupils to Skene.

Due to expansion to the west of Crombie School, the Morven Drive area will be rezoned to Westhill School.

Westhill councillor Amanda Allan hailed the process, adding she was glad to see Skene School would retain its “rural” identity.

She added: “The consultation process has been excellent in this. A lot of parents have been listened to. Skene is a rural school, it is not far out of Westhill but it is a special little school and wants to stay like that.”

The changes will come into effect in August this year.