THE smallest school in Britain, on the most remote island of the Orkneys, has closed after its only pupil left.
Teigan Scott, 12, has graduated from North Ronaldsay Primary School and will now take an 18-minute flight to secondary school on the mainland of Orkney.
The tiny school building, which had just one pupil on its roll for several years, is officially on standby in case another primary-age child arrives on the island, which has a population of just 50.
The closure has cast a shadow over the future of the island, which is served by two ferries a week – often cancelled in the winter – and flights to the island’s tiny airport.
North Isles councillor Kevin Woodbridge believes an “abysmal” sea- freight service, as a result of an inadequate terminal facility, has left the community at a tipping point, and sees the school closure as another nail in its coffin.
Teigan had been the only pupil at the school for several years. She has been spending two days a week at St Andrews Primary School, on the mainland of Orkney, and will transfer to Kirkwall Grammar School (KGS).
But her parents Maureen Johnstone and David Scott say they now have significant fears for the island’s future.
They and their three children, Demi-Marie, now 23, Macsen, aged 16, and Teigan moved to one of the Orkney Housing Association (AHOL) affordable houses in 2010.
“The population has gone down a lot in the seven years we have been here,” said Margaret.
“David and I are very apprehensive about what the future may hold and now there is no-one at the school it just seems ominous and the first step in another decline.”
Teigan said she had enjoyed the experience of being at a single pupil school and praised her teacher, Sarah Work.
“It was quite interesting being the only pupil. There weren’t really any bad bits. I enjoyed meeting others at St Andrews on other days and all my friends will be moving up in one class to KGS.”
Orkney Islands Council said the classroom within the school would remain on standby in case it was needed, as the building houses a range of community facilities.
A council spokesman said: “The classroom will be kept on standby from August onwards and would be used as a school room again if a family or families with primary-age children move to the island.”
Meanwhile, islanders are concerned about the future of North Ronaldsay, the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago.
Mr Woodbridge said: “This island has been shamefully neglected [or at least its needs misunderstood] for decades and it is hardly surprising that the community has withered away, whilst other areas of Orkney thrive.
“I firmly believe that without improvements to deliver a reliable berthing at North Ronaldsay pier there is little prospect of sustaining, let alone regenerating, the North Ronaldsay community, which really is at a tipping point.”
He said that even a reliable service on alternative days would boost quality of life locally.
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