Parents Challenge Drummore Nursery Closure Decision
The Rural and Small Schools Parent Councils Alliance has raised serious concerns about the planned closure of Drummore Early Learning Centre in August 2025.
The group claims the decision was made without consultation and argues that the process used to close the nursery may not comply with legal requirements. They are calling for an urgent public meeting to discuss the issue, which will take place on Tuesday, 25 March at Kirkmaiden Community Hub.
Full Statement from the Rural and Small Schools Parent Councils Alliance:
“Catastrophic Betrayal of Rural Education”: Drummore Nursery Closure Sparks Outrage
Drummore, Dumfries & Galloway – 21 March 2025
Parents and community members in Drummore have been left devastated and outraged after being informed—without warning, consultation, or transparency—that Drummore Early Learning Centre (Nursery) will be closed as of August 2025. The Educational Department’s unilateral decision, made behind closed doors, represents a catastrophic betrayal of public trust and an alarming disregard for the rights and wellbeing of children, families, and rural communities.
This deeply flawed and undemocratic action stands in direct violation of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s own Education and Learning Theme Strategic Outcomes, which promise:
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Inclusive, sustainable places of learning that meet the needs of local communities
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A commitment to getting it right for every child
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Support for young people and adults to succeed in what they want to achieve
The decision is equally incompatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which enshrines every child’s right to accessible education and participation in matters affecting them. In rural areas like Drummore, where options are limited and access fragile, the need for local, community-rooted provision is not optional—it is essential.
Yesterday, families were told out of the blue that Drummore Nursery will close in the summer, forcing children to attend nursery 10 miles away in Sandhead. No warning. No engagement. No consideration for the impact on families, working parents, staff, or the future of Drummore Primary School.
Even more concerning: we have reason to believe this closure is being executed by simply making the setting “inactive” with the Care Inspectorate—a status that does not legally exist. Across the Borders region, this same tactic has been used, but the Scottish Government has now confirmed that “inactive” is not a recognised legal status for schools or Early Learning settings.
Under Scottish law and government guidance, a setting is either OPEN, CLOSED, or MOTHBALLED—and both closure and mothballing require formal consultation. Attempting to bypass legal and ethical obligations by using an unrecognised status is not only dishonest, it may be unlawful.
“As a parent who has seen two children through this setting, I am heartbroken for the school, the staff, and our community,” said one mother. “This is not just a job for these ladies whose livelihoods are now under threat—they have helped raise the future of our village.”
This move is not only logistically unworkable for families without transport, it will almost certainly lead to a decline in the primary school intake. Once children are settled in another setting, they will naturally continue there, rather than returning to Drummore—effectively setting our school on a slow path to mothballing or closure without ever giving our community a voice.
This behaviour echoes a broader pattern seen in the Council’s ongoing development of a Mothballing Policy, which to date has shown signs of bias, urban dominance in consultation (72% of contributors from non-rural backgrounds), and a lack of meaningful community impact assessments. We say: enough is enough.
We demand:
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Immediate reversal of the Drummore Nursery closure decision.
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A fair, transparent, and inclusive consultation process involving local parents, educators, and community representatives.
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An end to the misuse of the “inactive” status as a legal workaround, and full compliance with Care Inspectorate and Scottish Government expectations.
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Full compliance with the Council’s stated values and UNCRC principles protecting every child’s right to accessible education.
We need your help.
We are calling on all members of the Drummore and Kirkmaiden community to attend an urgent public meeting:
📍 Tuesday, 25 March at 3pm
📌 Kirkmaiden Community Hub
🗣️ With local councillor Willie Scobie
Together, we will launch a campaign to reverse this harmful and short-sighted decision. Please come. Please share. Let’s show them what a real, united rural community looks like.
#SaveDrummoreNursery #StandUpForRuralSchools #EveryChildMatters #NoToFakeClosures
