Options for primary school provision in the Portlethen area was discussed by residents with council officials and local councillors tonight (Monday, 27 May). 

The Hillside area of Portlethen has been affected by extensive housing development in recent years. 

An assessment study was carried out on future options for primary provision in the town, which resulted in a series of options being put forward for consideration. 

Those options, including a third school for the town and retention of the two schools with the addition of a community facility, was put before the Portlethen community representatives for discussion. The five options are:

1. Retain Fishermoss and Portlethen Primary Schools. Construct a community facility on the identified site at Hillside Portlethen.

2.   Retain the two existing primary schools and build a community facility on the identified site at Hillside. The facility would include the core provision for a new school in the future. 

3.   Build a new primary school at Hillside, and assess the impact of this on the existing Portlethen Schools 

                  (a)  A 540-pupil school
                  (b)  A 355-pupil school with larger school core facility of 540 for future proofing the building,
                  (c) A 240-pupil school 

4. Build a new primary school at Hillside, retain and refurbish Fishermoss Primary School and close Portlethen Primary School.

5. Build a new primary school at Hillside, retain and refurbish Fishermoss Primary School and construct a community facility on the site of the former Portlethen Primary School.

North Kincardine Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison said afterwards: “This was one of a number of meetings to discuss this issue. The next step will be a report to Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee with recommendations from officers. This will become public early next week. Once we members of the area committee have considered the report, our comments will go to the Aberdeenshire-wide policey and resources committee on Thursday 13 June when the final decision will be made.” 

There has already been extensive consultation with Portlethen residents on the options, which residents were advised would evolve as the process continued. 

The Portlethen community has been actively campaigning for a new school at Hillside in recent years. 

The 2012 School Estate Review predicts that primary pupil numbers in the town will rise significantly over the next few years.