Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 - Tobermory 2-18 Campus
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 4 June 2026 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 4 JUNE 2026 SCHOOLS (CONSULTATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 – TOBERMORY 2-18 CAMPUS 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides details of a draft Proposal to relocate the current Tobermory 2-18 Campus to a new purpose-built 2-18 campus school building in accordance with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The Proposal Paper, attached as Appendix 1, provides details of the background for the Proposal, the likely educational benefits and effects arising from the Proposal, and outlines the proposed arrangements for a statutory consultation exercise. 1.2 The Proposal does not seek to incorporate the associated primary schools into the new campus building, change the current leadership and management structure within the 2-18 campus, nor does it involve any school closures. It is proposed that the formal consultation on the Proposal will be undertaken under the terms of the 2010 Act, commencing on 24th August 2026 (with due written notice of the Proposal issued to the relevant consultees listed in Appendix 1) and ending on 2nd October 2026. In addition, it is proposed that a public meeting will be held on Thursday 17th September in Tobermory 2-18 Campus at 6pm. 1.3 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee agrees to adopt the draft Proposal (as set out in Appendix 1) as a “Relevant Proposal” that should now proceed to a statutory consultation under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, in accordance with the timeframe as set out in the draft Proposal Paper.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 4 JUNE 2026 SCHOOLS (CONSULTATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 – TOBERMORY 2-18 CAMPUS 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, if a local authority proposes to relocate a school, it must undertake a public statutory consultation exercise. In this instance: o Tobermory ELC o Tobermory Primary o Tobermory High and the following primary schools that are associated primaries: o Dervaig Primary School o Salen Primary Gaelic and English medium School and ELCs o Lochdonhead Primary School and o Ulva Primary School are the “affected schools” in terms of the 2010 Act. For the avoidance of any doubt, this proposal does not include the incorporation of the associated primaries into the new campus building, would not change the current leadership and management structure within the 2-18 campus, nor does it involve any school closures. 2.2 Any formal consultation exercise on the Proposal contained within the draft Proposal Paper at Appendix 1 will proceed in terms of the requirements of the 2010 Act. Relevant impact assessments will also be undertaken over the course of the consultation period to inform the final Consultation Report and decision to be taken by members at the end of the process. The consultation period would commence on 24th August 2026 (with due written notice of the Proposal issued to the relevant consultees under the Act) and end on 2nd October 2026. Written representations must be received by the closing date in order to be taken into account.
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2.3 Members previously considered a report on 28th August 2025, endorsed officers’ actions not to commence the statutory consultation previously agreed in relation to this matter, and agreed to pause all other work on the Project due to a material change in circumstances. Now that the matters pertaining to that change in circumstances have been concluded and following the Council’s consideration of a further report and decision on 29th April 2026 to resume the Project under a revised timeline, this matter is before the Committee to consider whether to commence a statutory relocation consultation as detailed within Appendix 1. 3.0 RECOMMENDATION 3.1 It is recommended that Community Services Committee agree to adopt the draft Proposal, as set out in Appendix 1, as a “Relevant Proposal” that is now to proceed to a statutory consultation under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, in accordance with the timeframe as set out in the draft Proposal Paper. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Tobermory 2-18 Campus is a co-educational, non-denominational school serving the town of Tobermory along with the surrounding area. The school is situated in Erray Road, in Tobermory. Tobermory Campus is an all-through school with children and young people aged 2-18 years. The campus consists of an early learning and childcare (ELC) provision, a primary and a high school. 4.2 Given the current Tobermory Campus is assessed to be ‘C - poor’ in terms of suitability there is a requirement to improve the situation. This is currently the only school building in Argyll and Bute with that suitability rating. The lower grading of the Tobermory Campus building is largely driven by accessibility, restrictive drop off space, lack of social spaces and restricted specialised classes. 4.3 This Proposal is being advanced because Tobermory 2-18 Campus currently suffers from poor quality accommodation. Relocating the school would permit the construction of a new purpose-built campus and considerably improved Education accommodation. The opportunity to build a new building has arisen from the successful application for funding from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). 4.4 The draft Proposal (as detailed within Appendix 1) is to relocate the current Tobermory 2-18 Campus school building to a new purpose-built campus on a new site in Tobermory. 4.5 A Proposal to relocate a school is a “Relevant Proposal” in terms of Schedule 1 to the 2010 Act, and as such, is subject to a statutory consultation process. 4.6 If such a process is commenced, the Education Service will give notice of the Proposal to the relevant consultees (as prescribed by the 2010 Act) and invite
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representations on the Proposal. Details of the consultation exercise will also be published on the Council’s website for access by the wider public. During the consultation period, the Education Service will also hold a public meeting to discuss the Proposal and involve His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) in the consultation process. Face-to-face consultation sessions will also be held with pupils at the affected schools, supported by school staff. Each session shall be tailored to the age and stage of the particular groups of pupils being consulted. All views expressed during these sessions will be captured in standard response forms, all of which shall be considered by the Education Service as part of its review of the Proposal at the conclusion of the consultation period. Full details of the consultation process are set out within the draft Proposal Paper (Appendix 1). 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Attached to this report is a draft Proposal Paper in respect of relocating the current Tobermory 2-18 Campus school building to a new purpose-built campus. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - If this draft Proposal is adopted, it will result in a statutory consultation exercise on the same. At the conclusion of the statutory consultation, the Proposal will be reviewed, and a Consultation Report will be presented to a future meeting of the Committee where a decision will be made by the Committee on whether or not to implement the proposal. 6.2 Financial – The cost of building the new campus is estimated at £46.8 million. 6.3 Legal - Any relevant proposal requires to be considered by way of a statutory consultation, carried out in accordance with the 2010 Act, prior to being implemented. Relevant impact assessments as outlined at paragraphs 6.8 – 6.9 and 6.11 – 6.12, below, will also be carried out as part of the consultation process. 6.4 HR – None within this report. 6.5 Customer Service - None within this report. 6.6 Risk – The project has already experienced delays which may impact on its affordability. These factors are in the process of being assessed, but further delay may elevate any risks in that regard. 6.7 Climate Change - Anticipated impacts on school transport arrangements for pupils are outlined at Paragraph 4.4 of the draft Proposal Paper (Appendix 1). 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – If a statutory consultation exercise is agreed, officers will undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment during the consultation exercise. The Integrated Impact Assessment shall assess all impacts relating
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to the Fairer Scotland Duty as appropriate and will be incorporated into the Service’s final Consultation Report, to be presented to the Committee at a later date. 6.9 Equalities (Protected Characteristics) – If a statutory consultation exercise is agreed, officers will undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment during the consultation exercise. The Integrated Impact Assessment shall assess all impacts relating to equalities as appropriate and will be incorporated into the Service’s final Consultation Report, to be presented to the Committee at a later date. 6.10 Consumer Duty – None within this report. 6.11 Island Communities – If a statutory consultation exercise is agreed, officers will undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment during the consultation exercise. The Integrated Impact Assessment shall assess all impacts relating to Mull as an island community (in line with the requirements of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and will be incorporated into the Service’s final Consultation Report, to be presented to the Committee at a later date. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – If a statutory consultation exercise is agreed, officers will take steps to consult directly with children and young people at the affected schools, as outlined within the Proposal Paper (Appendix 1). Officers will also undertake a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment. This will be incorporated into the Service’s final Consultation Report, to be presented to the Committee at a later date. This will include an assessment of the compatibility of the proposal with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). DOUGLAS HENDRY Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Kieron Green Policy Lead for Education 22nd May 2026 For further information contact: Wendy Brownlie – Head of Education: Performance and Improvement Wendy.Brownlie@argyll-bute.gov.uk Louise Lawson – Education Officer – Education and Community Engagement LEIP Louise.Lawson2@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Proposal Paper