Elgin primary schools rezoning

Moray councillors are to be asked to press ahead with plans to alter the catchment areas of six primary schools in Elgin.

It follows an extensive consultation on the proposals which involved parents, parent councils, school staff, trade unions and community groups.

Education officers have warned that failure to redraw catchment area boundaries and address capacity issues will increase the risk of children being unable to attend their zoned school.

It has been forecast that without rezoning four of the six schools will exceed their current capacities by 2020.

A report based on the outcome of the consultation has been circulated to all elected members ahead of a meeting on November 11 at which they will decide how to proceed.

Officers are recommending that new zones for Bishopmill Primary, Seafield Primary, West End Primary, East End Primary, New Elgin Primary and Greenwards Primary should be finalised and take effect from January.

Additionally, they are recommending that a catchment area should be agreed for a new primary school to serve the rapidly expanding south-east of Elgin and progress steps to establish the school by August next year.

Councillors will also be asked to agree in principle a catchment area for a new primary to the north of Elgin - where 1500 homes are expected to be built over the next 20 to 30 years – to come into effect at a later date.

Education Scotland, which considered the educational aspects, said the proposals had a number of educational benefits.

“They should lead to important improvements in the quality of learning environments for children, along with improved transitions for children from early learning and childcare settings to P1 at school.”