New phase of engagement over Eyemouth Primary School’s future
A new phase of engagement at Eyemouth Primary School is underway.
Late last year, the plug was pulled on a Scottish Borders Council (SBC) consultation launched over proposals for the relocation of the school into the town’s High School amid overwhelming public opposition.
It was agreed instead to launch an engagement plan with all elements of the community and for the formation of focus groups to agree a way forward.
Over the past few weeks, small focus groups made up of parents, pupils, staff, local organisations and education representatives have met to share their views and priorities.
These first sessions covered what people value about the current school, the challenges with the existing building and what matters most for a future learning environment.
Common themes included the importance of a central and walkable location, good outdoor space, safe and accessible buildings, and facilities that reflect Eyemouth’s strong community identity.
All feedback from these sessions is now being reviewed and will directly inform the development of potential ways forward for the school.
The next stage of engagement, launched on Tuesday, March 3, will involve sharing early ideas with the focus groups, checking how well these respond to community priorities and discussing how they might be improved.
This will help SBC build a clearer picture of what could work best for Eyemouth.
Coun Julie Pirone, SBC’s executive member for education, youth development and lifelong learning, said: “I’d like to thank the individuals and community group representatives involved in the focus group meetings for their time and their views.
“To date, the feedback from the first round of focus group meetings has been really positive and we look forward to the next sessions, which take place over the next two weeks.
“The council will continue to update the community as the work progresses and further opportunities to get involved will be provided throughout the year.”
Coun James Anderson, independent for East Berwickshire, said he was “genuinely encouraged” by the progress made thus far, which he described as “exceeding my expectations”.
He added: “The turnout has been strong and the discussions were thoughtful, respectful and forward-looking. People didn’t just turn up; they took the opportunity by the horns, shared honest views about the school’s challenges and what they value most, and helped us build a shared understanding of the practical realities we all face.
“What came through clearly is how much the community cherishes the school’s central, walkable location, its strong connection to outdoor green space and local facilities, the seamless link between Early Years and Primary, the positive school culture and leadership, and the assembly hall that serves as such an important community asset.
“At the same time, everyone acknowledged the serious issues with the existing building, damp and heating problems, accessibility barriers from the multi-level layout, over-crowded and unusable spaces, poor drop-off arrangements and a lack of breakout or nurture areas.
“These conversations have directly informed the five realistic options that the design team will now present and test in the Round 2 sessions.
“None of this would have been possible without the time, honesty and goodwill of parents, pupils, teachers, staff and community members who stepped forward.
“The momentum feels real and I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together in the months ahead.”