Rural primary school closures are devastating, say parents

Parents of pupils attending the school said they were “dumfounded” at the decision.

Balnamore Primary Support Group said: “Many of us, as parents have spent the past days comforting our young children, wiping their tears, and struggling to explain why their school, their safe place, will soon be gone.

“The school is more than just a building – it is the heart of our community, and we will do everything in our power to keep it beating.”

Joanne Skinner, whose daughter Mia has attended Balnamore for five years, said she was angry at the decision.

“Balnamore is a thriving community with housing developments going up, young families coming in with young children. It needs a school,” she said.

“This is a wonderful school with fantastic resources…we have the room to grow.

“We needed three years to grow and they didn’t give it to us.”