Five schools will remain closed

FIVE primary schools that had been mothballed will remain temporarily closed when the new term begins in August, it has been confirmed.

This comes after just two new pupils were put forward to attend these schools in the forthcoming 2026-7 year.

With school rolls continuing to reduce year after year, education chiefs have decided to keep the doors shut at Ae, Borgue, Hottsbridge, above, Kirkbean, and Tundergarth.

The issue is due to be discussed at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education committee next Tuesday.

Councillor will be told primary school rolls are continuing to reduce. In September 2021 the pupil roll was 10,092, in September 2025 the pupil roll was 9323 - a reduction of 769 pupils.

In the same time period, secondary school rolls have fallen by 385 pupils.

And the number of primary and secondary pupils is predicted to reduce further in future years.

Due to these declining numbers, Ae was closed in April 2023, with Tundergarth following suit in August 2023, and the other three primary schools were shut in August 2024.

Enrolment options for all of them were put forward at the beginning of this year, however just two expressions of interest were made.

A council report explains: “On January 8, 2026 catchment families, ward officers, ward members and community councils of Ae Primary School, Borgue Primary School, Kirkbean Primary School, Hottsbridge Primary School and Tundergarth Primary School were contacted via email to notify them of the enrolment (P1) and transfer (P2-P7) opportunity for academic year 2026/27.

“No enrolments or transfers were received for Borgue, Kirkbean, Hottsbridge, or Tundergarth; these schools will remain temporary closed for academic year 2026/27.

“Two enrolment forms were received for Ae Primary School.”

However, those families were contacted to inform them there are not enough pupils registered for Ae to be viable, so options for a suitable alternative school will be made.