Decision deferred on future of mothballed secondary department at North Walls

OIC councillors have rejected a move to shut the mothballed secondary education department at North Walls Junior High School in Hoy.

Secondary provision at the school is currently suspended and pupils attend Stromness Academy or Kirkwall Grammar School once they leave primary education.

The recommendation before members of the education leisure and housing committee yesterday, Wednesday, was to initiate a consultation, required by law, on a proposal to close the secondary department at the school.

However, Councillor Rob Crichton’s suggestion, to postpone any decision for one year, received the majority of support in the council chamber.

Councillor Crichton said that the decision may have to be taken to close the secondary department at North Walls in the future but, given the impact of the downturn in the renewable industry on the community, now was not the right time.