A QUESTION mark is hanging over a primary school because the building is in need of urgent repairs.
Creetown Primary is set to be reviewed by Dumfries and Galloway Council due to its “poor building condition”, which is causing concerns around safety and security.
The roof, external walls, windows, doors, and electrics within the school building all require repairs and upgrades.
Councillors will next week be asked to approve an options appraisal process so officials can properly assess the school and all options to ensure children continue to receive education in their catchment area.
A report has been prepared on the issue for the education committee by Larann Foss, the council’s schools’ property manager.
He wrote: “Officers seek agreement from members to initiate an option appraisal for Creetown Primary School. Creetown Primary School has been prioritised for review due to the building condition as reported to Scottish Government.
“Building condition is concerned with the current state of the fabric of the school and with safety and security.
“The school estate strategy recognises the importance of identifying and reporting when schools are assessed as condition categories C and D to allow plans to be made by the local authority to address the situation.
“Due to the building condition of Creetown Primary School, it has been identified as a priority for review to explore options to ensure there remains a sustainable solution for children and young people living in the catchment area.
“Several major condition elements are condition C as cited by the last inspection report dated 14 June 2021, including the roof, external walls, windows and doors, and mechanical elements.
“The electrical major elements are recorded as condition D.”
While the council is focused on a comprehensive review of its entire schools’ estate, which will undoubtedly lead to school closures and mergers further down the line, Creetown Primary is considered to be a sustainable school.
It has a high sustainability score – 14 out of 16 – which takes into account other factors including school roll and catchment area etc. Therefore Creetown Primary is considered to be less at risk of closure in the long term than other rural schools with smaller school rolls.
The council report states that council officers wish to look at options “to seek a future-proofed solution as a result of poor building condition in the short term”.
