Campaigners trying to save a Perthshire school from closure are battling to open a nursery class in a bid to boost attendance.
Logierait Primary at Ballinluig, which has 16 pupils, has been threatened with the axe as part of an ongoing review of school buildings across Perth and Kinross.
As part of their fight, members of the Logierait Parent Council are holding an open day at the school to showcase the facilities to parents with children under five in the hope of drumming up enough interest to start a nursery.
The parents believe that if Logierait had a nursery they would lose fewer local children to Pitlochry Primary School which already has one.
Tracy Reynolds, from the group, said: “Kids are going to Pitlochry nursery and then they’re staying there to go to school.
“We’re hoping that if we can get a nursery then we can keep them here. It’s a great wee school and great for the community as well.
“We had a great turnout when we had drop-in sessions about the review and we had a lot of support.”
The parent council members are hosting the open session on Wednesday at 3.30pm and are encouraging parents with children under five to join them for a look around the grounds and a play event.
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Naan Meileour, who has grandchildren at Logierait, said the school was important for the future of the Perthshire village.
Naan said: “Mums put there children to school in Pitlochry because there’s a nursery for them for the younger ones, so if there was a nursery facility at Logierait they could put their children here.
“It’s a lovely little community with a lovely school.
“My grandchildren go there and at the start I was a bit dubious about the small school but I’m so happy they go there now. The education is fantastic and the facilities are brilliant. It’s worth saving.
“I’m worried that our villages are turning into retirement villages, but we want to keep the younger people in Ballinluig.”
SNP councillor Mike Williamson said he supported the idea of opening a nursery at the school and increasing child care provision for Highland Perthshire.
Mr Williamson said: “There’s been a high turnout to keep the school open in that area.
“An alternative use, be it a nursery or otherwise, would be welcomed by everyone and it would help sustain the future of the school.”
Logierait is currently operating at 32% capacity. The three options being considered by the council are closure, a review of the catchment zone, or continuing as it is.
