State School That Costs More Than Gordonstoun

A TINY state school on a remote island in the Outer Hebrides is more expensive than Scotland’s most exclusive private school when it comes to educating pupils.

It costs a staggering Pounds 17,600 to school each child at Daliburgh Secondary on South Uist almost Pounds 3,000 more than the fees at Royal favourite Gordonstoun.

But now Scotland’s most expensive school is threatened with closure because the local authority fears it cannot afford the bill.

The average cost per pupil is four times the national average and is so high because the school has 12 teachers ten of them part- time looking after only 19 pupils.

Its head teacher’s time is shared between Daliburgh secondary and the primary school on the same site.

And the bill is likely to soar further as the number of pupils is expected to fall. In comparison, it costs Pounds 14,703-ayear to attend Gordonstoun where Prince Charles, Prince Philip and Princess Anne were all taught as a day pupil.

The Western Isles operates an education system unique to Scotland where some 12- 14- year- olds are taught in special secondary units connected to primary schools.

But councillors are now so worried about the cost of that S1 and S2 education that it is to carry out a review. It may mean some schools could close or amalgamate and Daliburgh is likely to be top of the list.

The next most expensive secondary school in the Western Isles is Lionel School, at Ness on Lewis, where it costs Pounds 9,943 per pupil.

The average cost for primary pupils in the Western Isles is Pounds 5,271; for secondary students it is Pounds 6,142, compared- with the national average of Pounds 2,866 and Pounds 4,042 respectively.

A Western Isles Council spokesman admitted costs at Daliburgh were high and it was an issue for the new working group which will look at S1 and S2 education on the isles.

He added: ‘There is a small number of pupils matched against the staff required to teach the secondary curriculum.

‘All secondary schools in the Western Isles are teaching the same breadth of curriculum. This makes provision comparatively expensive in rural locations.

‘The cost of teaching the secondary curriculum is far higher than that for teaching the primary curriculum.

‘A best value review of the provision of S1/ S2 education has been undertaken with the advice and expertise of a top consultant. This has led to the setting- up of the working group.’

There are four major secondary S1-S6 schools in the Western Isles the Nicolson Institute on Lewis; Sir E Scott School on Harris; Sgoil Lionacleit on Benbecula; and Castlebay School on Barra.

The SNP this week highlighted the issue of rural school closures.

Education spokesman Fiona Hyslop said: ‘With between 50 and 72 schools under threat, this is a national issue and the Education Minister must address why so many are under threat at this time.

‘The SNP supports legislative change to secure a presumption against closure of rural schools. This does not mean that no rural school should close but that a robust education argument must be produced to justify any closure.’

On its website the school sets out its philosophy, which it admits is unusual in the modern world.

It says: ‘The atmosphere is welcoming, caring and cheerful. People matter and the importance of prayer i s recognised daily in morning assemblies.’