Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that there is a secondary school presence in Pitlochry as he has backed an expanded Pitlochry High School to include fifth and sixth year pupils.
A public meeting has recently been held on the future of the school with a number of options currently open, including expanding the current school roll to include a fifth and sixth year.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“It was good to be able to meet representatives of the Pitlochry High School Parent Council and hear direct from them their views on the current Estates’ Review, and what it means for their school.
“I can appreciate that this review, which was initiated 2 years ago, has been unsettling for parents and pupils with uncertainty about the future.
“It is a pity that there has been such a focus on whether the school might close as this has just added to the public concern. I do not believe that there is anyone in the Council administration who wants to see the school close. Instead, the focus should be on how we enhance educational provision in Pitlochry.
“Parents in Pitlochry have been clear that they want to see the addition of S5 & S6 to the High School. This is an ambition I support, and I will be encouraging Council colleagues to look at how this might be delivered in practice.
“Clearly this expansion in Pitlochry is only viable if a sufficient spread of subject choice can be offered at Higher and Advanced Higher level, and I will be asking the Council to consider innovative ways to deliver this, such as distance learning.
“Both this enhancement, and necessary investment in the school buildings, would come at a cost to the Council at at time of constrained budgets, but I hope both will be seen as worthwhile expenditure to improve education in a rural area.”
Commenting, Highland Ward Councillor John Duff said:
“I said during my election campaign and numerous occasions since at parent and local community council meetings that the Scottish Conservatives on Perth and Kinross Council have always supported a positive outcome for Pitlochry High School and have no intention of closing it.
“The poor condition rating of the building fabric is due to a lack of investment in the property over many years which, together with the falling roll, was responsible for bringing the school into the review process.
“I want to see more investment in the school, not just in the fabric but in its technology and facilities and in better educational opportunities for all pupils including fifth and sixth year at this excellent school.”