Thursday November 12th 2026
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Selkirk
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The end appears to be nigh for a vandal-hit Borders primary school but hopes are high that its loss could be turned into “something positive”.
Members of full council have agreed to commence a statutory consultation on a proposal to permanently close St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Selkirk.
The school has been mothballed since August 2024 following a sustained decline in the school roll.
The school had 31 pupils in August 2019 but there were no pupils due to start in August 2024.
In May 2025, Scottish Borders Council’s Education Sub-Committee approved continued mothballing for a further year to allow demand for the school to be assessed more robustly, following improvements to the council’s website and enquiry arrangements.
Now it has been concluded that demand has not materially increased and that neither reopening the school nor continuing the mothballing for a third year is reasonable.
Conservative Selkirkshire councillor Leagh Douglas said: “St Joseph’s has been part of Selkirk for many years and it is sad to see the school reach this point but the figures absolutely speak for themselves so I am very happy to move forward with the consultation.
“What matters to me now is that we don’t lose sight of the building and what it can offer for the town in the future.
“The report mentions that local organisations have already expressed an interest in the building, and that is encouraging.
“So we may be losing a school but I do believe we can turn that loss into something positive for the Selkirk community.”
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Selkirk independent councillor Caroline Cochrane raised concerns at the deteriorating condition of the school while it is mothballed.
She added: “I have received a number of reports of vandalism at the school, including broken windows and other damage to the property.
“Given the ongoing vandalism I am concerned about the potential risk of children and young people gaining access to the building and potentially being injured.”
Members were informed that officers would report back to ward councillors on the current condition of the school.
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