Thursday May 21st 2026
Eyemouth Primary School
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Parents could boycott their children from attending a Borders school if an unpopular transfer was adopted, councillors have been warned.
Two options are on the table over the future of Eyemouth Primary School, members of full council were informed on Thursday, May 21.
Late last year the plug was pulled on a Scottish Borders Council 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.
Members were told that in response to this engagement, officers have further developed two broad routes for consideration.
The first is the initial campus proposal, based on relocation of primary provision to the High School site, with a separate Early Years and Family Centre on the current primary site.
The second is an alternative new build proposal, based on a new standalone primary school with early years and family centre provision on or aligned to the existing primary school site.
Both routes have now been tested further against educational impact, programme, delivery risk, disruption, affordability and capital planning implications.
Members heard that both options were over the allocated budget of £14.7m, with the campus option costed at £15.7m and the standalone school at £23.8m.
Councillors agreed an amendment forwarded by Councillor Julie Pirone and seconded by East Berwickshire councillor James Anderson, stressing that a standalone option should be the ‘primary focus’ and that funding options should be explored with Scottish and UK governments.
Councillor Anderson stressed that opposition was widespread in Eyemouth against transferring primary school youngsters into the High School.
He said: “The community in Eyemouth is on year 12 now of asking for a standalone school. If it had been delivered 12 years ago it would have been very affordable.
“I’m sure you’re all aware of how annoyed my community is and I assure you that when you live in the two you feel that weight ten-fold.
“As far as I’m concerned and the people of Eyemouth are concerned a standalone school is the only option.
“If the campus is pushed and goes ahead the parents are starting to make it very clear that they will just not put their children in it.”
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