Temporary closures of schools and nurseries - statutory guidance update: island communities impact assessment

Step Three – Consultation

Island local authorities, parent councils (Connect), Education Scotland, Scottish Rural Schools Network, School Closure Review Panel were consulted during the process. The consultation will primarily involve a series of meetings with key stakeholders during the summer and autumn 2025, through online engagement activities. This approach ensures broad participation and allows us to gather views both through direct discussion and digital channels.

Concerns raised included, travel to nearest provision - previous engagement with island authorities and past casework indicates that travel to the nearest alternative school can involve long distances and reliance on ferry services. In previous temporary closure reviews (e.g. Luing; Shetland cases), local authorities have highlighted that pupils would need to travel greater distances to reach alternative provision, with daily journeys often dependent on ferry timetables or subject to interruption during periods of poor weather, particularly in winter.