Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 - Furnace Primary School
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 4 June 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 4 JUNE 2026 SCHOOLS (CONSULTATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 – FURNACE PRIMARY SCHOOL 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides details of the Options Appraisal for Furnace Primary School, carried out in accordance with the preliminary requirements set out in Section 12A of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, as amended. 1.2 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: a. Notes the outcome of this consideration of the preliminary requirements; and; b. Agrees that officers now formulate a draft closure proposal that will be presented to the December 2026 meeting of the Committee for approval by members which, if adopted, would subsequently trigger the formal consultation process under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Page 2
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 4 JUNE 2026 SCHOOLS (CONSULTATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 – FURNACE PRIMARY SCHOOL 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 When considering the future of a rural school, the Education Authority must first satisfy the preliminary requirements as set out in Section 12A of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, as amended. 2.2 On 11th December 2025, the Community Services Committee agreed that the Education Service would undertake the preliminary requirements in relation to considering a potential rural school closure, and produce an Options Appraisal for Furnace Primary School. As Furnace Primary School is a rural school, the preliminary requirements stipulate that a possible closure proposal, and all the reasonable alternatives, are assessed, having particular regard to the following: a. Their likely educational benefits; b. Their likely effect on the local community – having particular regard to the sustainability of the community and the availability of the school premises to the community; c. The likely effect of any different travelling arrangements on the school's pupils and staff and any other users of the school's facilities, as well as the possible environmental impact. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: a. Notes the outcome of this consideration of the preliminary requirements; and; b. Agrees that officers now formulate a draft closure proposal that will be presented to the December 2026 meeting of the Committee for approval by members which, if adopted, would subsequently trigger the formal consultation process under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Page 3
4.0 DETAIL 4.1 This report provides details of an Options Appraisal, carried out in accordance with the preliminary requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, as amended (the 2010 Act), in respect of Furnace Primary School. 4.2 The Options Appraisal for Furnace Primary School is attached as Appendix A. 4.3 Three possible options have been assessed in considering the future of Furnace Primary School: a) Reopen Furnace Primary School; b) Continue the temporary closure (previously known as ‘mothballing’1) of Furnace PS with the pupils zoned to Inveraray Primary School; c) Close Furnace Primary School and realign the catchment area for Inveraray Primary School to include the Furnace Primary School catchment area. For each option, information was collated and particular regard was given to: • Community feedback; • Pupil numbers; • Assessment of rural factors – namely the likely effect on the local community (having particular regard to the sustainability of the community and availability of the school’s premises and its other facilities for use by the community); and the likely effect of any different travelling arrangements that may be required (having particular regard to the effect on pupils, staff and any other users of the school’s facilities, and any environmental impact). • Educational benefits; and • Financial information 4.4 An authority that is contemplating a rural school closure proposal must satisfy the preliminary requirements set out in Section 12A of the 2010 Act prior to formulating any proposal. 4.5 Consideration was given to the underlying reasons as to why the future of Furnace Primary School is being reviewed, and all reasonable alternatives to closure of the school as a response to those underlying reasons were identified. All three options (including closure) were then assessed - having particular regard to likely educational benefits, likely effect on the local community and likely effect on travelling arrangements. Following this assessment, closing Furnace Primary School and realigning the catchment area of Inveraray Primary School to include the current catchment area for Furnace Primary School is considered to be the most reasonable option to address the underlying reasons for the possible proposal. 1 Revised guidance provided by Scottish Government on the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) 2010 Act included this change in terminology from ‘mothballing’ to ‘temporary closure’. Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010: guidance - gov.scot
Page 4
5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The Options Appraisal for Furnace Primary School has been prepared in accordance with the preliminary requirements of the 2010 Act. 5.2 After consideration of the preliminary requirements, all identified reasonable alternatives and the reasons why the future of the School is being considered, closing Furnace Primary School and redrawing its catchment area to the delineated catchment area of Inveraray Primary School is considered to be the most reasonable option in order to address the underlying reasons for the possible proposal. Officers are now in a position to formulate a draft proposal that they propose to present at the December 2026 meeting of the Committee for members’ consideration, which, if approved, would subsequently trigger the formal consultation process under the 2010 Act. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - An authority that is considering formulating a rural school closure proposal must first satisfy the preliminary requirements set out in Section 12A of the 2010 Act. 6.2 Financial - There are financial implications for each option, as set out in the Options Appraisal. 6.3 Legal - The Options Appraisal for Furnace Primary School has been prepared in accordance with the preliminary requirements as set out in Section 12A of the 2010 Act. 6.4 HR – None. 6.5 Customer Service – None within this report. 6.6 Risk – None within this report. 6.7 Climate Change – Particular regard to environmental impacts due to travelling arrangements are addressed within the Options Appraisal (Appendix A). 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – None within this report. 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – None within this report. 6.10 Consumer Duty – None within this report. 6.11 Islands Communities – None. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - Article 3 of UNCRC (best interests of the child) - The Education Service has had due regard to the requirement that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in all decisions affecting children. This has been reflected in a sustained focus on ensuring continuity, stability and quality of educational
Page 5
provision for children living within the Furnace Primary School catchment area. The Options Appraisal therefore seeks to identify the option which best supports children’s educational interests in both the short and longer term, rather than focusing solely on the future of the school building Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) - The Education Service has taken steps to ensure that the views of children are listened to and considered in matters affecting them, in line with Article 12 of the UNCRC. As part of the preliminary engagement process the views of pupils on the future of the school was sought. Additionally, the views of children and young people affected by any decision taken will be considered seriously and given due weight alongside other relevant factors if a relevant proposal is subsequently agreed and consulted on. Article 28 (right to education) - The Education Service has ensured that all children of primary school age living within the Furnace catchment area have continued to access their right to education. Each option considered within the Options Appraisal has been assessed against its ability to provide a sustainable, high-quality educational experience that meets statutory requirements and supports children’s learning and development. Consideration has been given to curriculum delivery, staffing resilience, access to support services, and opportunities for personal and social development. The Options Appraisal supports the Council’s responsibility to ensure that children and young people are able to realise their right to education in a manner that is sustainable, equitable and consistent with statutory expectations. Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Kieron Green - Policy Lead for Education 22nd April 2026 For further information contact: Jennifer Crocket Chief Education Officer Head of Education: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Achievement Jennifer.Crocket@argyll-bute.gov.uk Wendy Brownlie Head of Education: Performance and Improvement Wendy.Brownlie@argyll-bute.gov.uk Graeme Mcmillan, Transformation Programme Manager Graeme.Mcmillan2@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Page 6
Simone McAdam, Education Manager Simone.McAdam@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix A - Options Appraisal -Furnace Primary School