Movement Towards a Sustainable Estate - Cluster Surveys

Primary Provision within the Laurencekirk Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the primary school estate within the Laurencekirk Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision.  

The primary school estate consists of 145 primary schools across 17 clusters.  Data from school roll forecasts (18 September 2025) shows that there are currently 31 primary schools across the estate which are operating below 50% capacity.  

Within the Laurencekirk Cluster there are seven primary schools;  Auchenblae, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Luthermuir, Marykirk, Redmyre and St Cyrus Schools.  Currently Luthermuir School is the only school operating below 50% capacity.  However, by 2030, it is predicted that both Luthermuir School and Redmyre School will be operating below 50% capacity.

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.  Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

You are invited to take part in the following survey before 30 November 2025.   

Primary Provision within the Peterhead Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Peterhead Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision.

The primary school estate consists of 145 primary schools across 17 clusters.  Data from school roll forecasts (18 September 2025) show that there are currently 31 primary schools across the estate which are operating below 50% capacity.  

Within the Peterhead Cluster there are nine primary schools; Boddam, Buchanhaven, Burnhaven, Clerkhill, Dales Park, Meethill, Peterhead Central, Port Erroll and St Fergus Schools.  Currently Boddam, Burnhaven and Peterhead Central Schools are all operating below 50% capacity.  However, by 2030, it is predicted that both Burnhaven and Peterhead Central Schools will be operating below 50% capacity.

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.  Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

You are invited to take part in the following survey before 30 November 2025.   

Primary Provision within the Kemnay Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the primary school estate within the Kemnay Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision.  

The primary school estate consists of 145 primary schools across 17 clusters.  Data from school roll forecasts (18 September 2025) shows that there are currently 31 primary schools across the estate which are operating below 50% capacity.  

Within Kemnay Cluster there are five primary schools; Alehousewells, Kemnay, Kinellar, Kintore and Midmill Schools.  Currently there are currently no schools operating below 50% capacity.  However, by 2030, it is predicted that Alehousewells School will be operating under 50% capacity.

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.  Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

You are invited to take part in the following survey before 30 November 2025.   

Primary Provision within the Ellon Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Ellon Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision.

Live SRF data from 11 September 2024 shows that there are currently 31 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Within the Ellon Cluster, Arnage School, Tipperty School and Slains School are all operating at under 50% capacity.  By 2029, it is predicted that Arnage, Hatton (Cruden), Slains and Tipperty Schools will all be operating under 50% capacity.

On 10 October 2024, Education and Children’s Committee authorised the statutory consultation which proposes to merge Foveran School and Tipperty School.  Both buildings would remain and operate as one school, with a new identity.  The statutory consultation will run until 13 December 2024.  

Aberdeenshire Council recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  Our vision is to ensure we have a viable learning estate, particularly in rural areas.  

The survey will be open until 20 December 2024. 

Primary Provision within the Meldrum Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Meldrum Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision. 

Live SRF data from 11 September 2024 shows that there are currently 31 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Within the Meldrum Cluster, by 2029 it is predicted that Daviot School will be operating at 35% capacity and Barthol Chapel School operating at 42%.   Overall, within the Cluster there are 447 available primary places, which increases to 596 available primary places in 2029.  

Aberdeenshire Council recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  Our vision is to ensure we have a viable learning estate, particularly in rural areas.

The survey will be open until 20 December 2024. 

Primary Provision within the Mintlaw Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Mintlaw Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision.

Live SRF data from 11 September 2024 shows that there are currently 31 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Within the Mintlaw Cluster, Kininmonth School is operating at 48% capacity.  By 2029, it is predicted that Kininmonth School will be operating at 28% capacity and Maud School will be operating at 47% capacity.   Within the Cluster there are currently 428 available primary places, which increases to 475 available primary places in 2029.

Aberdeenshire Council recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  Our vision is to ensure we have a viable learning estate, particularly in rural areas.

The survey will be open until 20 December 2024.   

Primary Provision within the Banff Cluster

 As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Banff Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision. 

Live SRF data from 8 January 2024 shows that there are currently 34 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Within the Banff Cluster Aberchirder, Bracoden and Portsoy Schools are operating below 50% capacity.  It is predicted that Aberchirder, Banff, Bracoden and Portsoy Schools will all be operating below 50% capacity by 2029  

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.   Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

The survey was open between 5 and 23 February 2024. 

Primary Provision within the Turriff Cluster

 As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Turriff Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision. 

Within the Turriff Cluster both Easterfield and Fisherford Schools have been mothballed since August 2021.  On 1 February 2024, Education and Children’s Services Committee agreed to launch a statutory consultation regarding the closure of both schools. 

 Live SRF data from 8 January 2024 shows that there are currently 34 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Currently Fintry School and King Edward School are both operating below 50% capacity.  It is predicted that by 2029, Auchterless, Crudie, Fintry and King Edward Schools will all be operating below 50% capacity.  

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.  Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

The survey was open between 14 February 2024 and 8 March 2024.

Primary Provision within the Westhill Cluster

As part of the Learning Estates remit within Education and Children’s Services, Officers are seeking your views on the school estate within the Westhill Cluster which will help shape the future of education provision. 

Live SRF data from 8 January 2024 shows that there are currently 34 primary schools in Aberdeenshire which are operating under 50% capacity.  

Within the Westhill Cluster, Skene School is operating at 49% capacity  It is predicted that will decrease to 33% capacity in 2029.  

Our vision is to have a best value estate with financially sustainable provision, ensuring a more viable estate particularly in rural areas.  Aberdeenshire Council also recognises the importance and value of rural schools.  

The survey was open between 5 and 23 February 2024.