A CAMPAIGN has been launched in a bid to save a village primary school, which faces an uncertain future under options outlined by East Lothian Council.

The local authority has published a range of budget-saving options in a bid to save nearly £40 million over the next five years.

These include “close a rural school [at] less than 50 per cent capacity”, saving £250,000.

Stenton Primary School – which celebrates its 140th anniversary next year – and Humbie Primary School are the only two schools in the county which meet that criteria.

Residents across East Lothian are being urged to have their say on how savings are made, with parents and pupils at Stenton Primary School launching a campaign to prevent its closure.

READ MORE: 15 options the council is considering to save money

Verity Sinclair, chairwoman of the school’s parent council, is among those saying ‘leave our school alone’.

She said: “We are disappointed that our school has been named in this consultation when we were told face-to-face by the head of education at East Lothian Council, Fiona Robertson, less than three months ago that our school was under no threat and low numbers were just the natural peaks and troughs of a rural schools.”

Currently the school is home to 19 pupils, with a new headteacher, Ronnie Taylor, due to start early in the New Year.

READ MORE: Rural schools under threat

Mrs Sinclair, whose 11-year-old son Darwin is in P7 at the school, added: “With other local schools nearing or at capacity, the concern is where our children will be sent. We feel let down and lied to and it has caused distress amongst parents, staff, pupils and other members of the community.

“Rather than the council fighting against us, we would like to see them working with us to help make the school as vibrant and viable as it should and can be.”

Seven P1s are due to start at Stenton in August next year, with three pupils making the move to secondary school.

Only a few years ago, the school was full and local children were almost forced to go to schools out of the catchment area.

Moya Ramsay, chairwoman of the village’s community association, described the school as “a vital part of the community”.

She added: “Every resident would be devastated to see it close.

“The children and staff are wonderful and a real asset to our community.”

Kirsten Thomson’s son is in P1 at the school and following in the footsteps of her, his dad and grandfather. She said it had been “a pleasure” watching him start his education at the school and added: “It was a very proud and emotional occasion for his grandparents, who saw all their children through Stenton Primary.

“We think very highly of the school and are thrilled our daughter will join her brother next year.

“We would be absolutely devastated to see Stenton Primary close. Although it may be a small school it plays a huge part in our community and has done so in our families for generations.”

A council statement said: “The public budget consultation puts forward a range of possible cost saving options which could help the council address the challenges posed by reductions in the amount of funding available.

“Like many other councils, we have experienced reductions in Government grant, which makes up the majority of our funding.

“In this context, the budget consultation has been an opportunity for residents to tell us about their priorities and which services they value most.

“We are grateful for all the feedback received and will be analysing the responses.

“It’s important to stress that the council has yet to decide on its budget and a draft budget will be presented to the January meeting of the council cabinet. Councillors will then meet in February to agree the budget.

“In the event of any such formal [closure] proposal coming forward, there would need to be a separate, statutory consultation and decision-making process.”