Fountainhall Primary School and ELC has been temporarily closed since June 2025 due to a sustained decline in numbers and the roll falling to one primary pupil.

The Statutory Consultation on permanent closure and rezone of the catchment opened online on Monday 24 August 2026 and closes on Monday 12 October 2026.

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 September at 5.30pm in Fountainhall Village Hall. All are welcome to attend and hear more about the proposals and to have your views noted.

The Statutory Consultation process is required under the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 (As Amended), which ensures communities are aware of proposed major changes to the school estate and includes a presumption against rural school closure, unless all alternatives have been fully explored and discounted before moving to the proposal to close.

The Council’s recommendations follow a detailed Options Appraisal Mothball/Temporary Closure Review conducted earlier this year. It found that there was no anticipated increase in demand for the Primary School or ELC to sustainable levels. The review concluded that permanent closure would provide clarity for the community and support effective long-term planning for educational provision in the area. It found that the educational benefits of permanently closing the school and rezoning the catchment area to Heriot Primary School and the new ELC provision at Heriot were particularly persuasive.  The proposal also aligns with the majority view expressed by the parent and carer community during the temporary closure review and supports wider rural development objectives, particularly by helping to support Heriot Primary School and its new ELC provision as a viable small rural school in the longer term.

Views will be sought on the proposal before further recommendations are made to elected members to make the final decision.

No final decision on the proposal will be made by elected members until the statutory consultation is completed and all representations have been considered within a Consultation Report. Scottish Ministers must also review the outcome in line with national legislation to provide approval.

The Statutory Consultation on permanent closure and rezone of the catchment  is available online via Citizen Space (from Monday 24 August 2026 to Monday 12 October 2026).

Burns Night Ceilidh

Saturday 25 January 2025

Stow Town Hall 7.00- 11.00

Stow Dads' Ceilidh Band & Special Guests

Traditional supper included : haggis neeps & tatties, cranachan, oat cakes & cheese

Bring your own drinks and glasses (paper cups available)

Tickets (cash only) £15 adults, children (under 16) £5 from Stow Post Office and Wedale Book Shop

~ all proceeds to Stow Baby and Toddlers Group ~

Yoga Nidra Workshop with Clare

Saturday 18th January at the MacFie Hall Heriot EH38 5YE

10.00am-12.30pm

Dispel the Winter blues with a relaxing and rejuvenating restorative Yoga class. In this workshop, the emphasis will be on releasing tension in our body and mind and coming into a state of deep peace and relaxation.

We will start the morning with some gentle restorative yoga stretches and Yogic breathing techniques, followed by a Yoga Nidra guided meditation practice.

Price £25 for the two and a half hour class. Please bring two blankets a pillow and a yoga mat.

To book your place please contact me at: clarestephenyoga@gmail.com

O7773 I6O 985

Come along and help support Stow Sports. All funds raised go towards sports week, Christmas lights and tree, Hogmanay Bonfire and Fireworks

£5 per person, 6 to a team.

Licenced bar on the night!

Join us for the monthly Stow Community Council meeting! This is your chance to stay informed about local issues, share your ideas, and make your voice heard in our community. Everyone is welcome, so come along and help shape the future of Stow.