A CLACKS school could relocate permanently if councillors this month agree to progress consultation over the move.

Parents, carers, children and staff will be asked for their views over plans to permanently relocate St Mungo's Primary to Alloa Academy, if given the nod by elected representatives at a meeting on Thursday, March 21.

The Roman Catholic primary's building on Forth Crescent was closed in 2018 due to ongoing water damage with pupils and staff moving into a dedicated space in Alloa Academy for the medium term.

The local authority explained a considerable amount of adaptations have been ongoing since to ensure both schools can run smoothly, while St Mungo's is benefiting from a range of additional facilities offered by a large modern secondary school.

Proposed changes to the school estate, including relocation, require statutory public consultation, and the education authority must prepare an educational benefits statement to support the plans.

If agreed, the consultation will involve parents, carers, children and staff, both from St Mungo's and Alloa Academy, as well as other key stakeholders associated with the schools. The Catholic church will be included as a consultee since St Mungo's s an RC school.

Expectations are for a final report, including how the council intends to respond to any recommendations made by Education Scotland, to be brought back to elected members for a final decision in January or February 2025.

Since the closure of the old St Mungo's building, several options have been considered for the school's future.

Under all options, the existing building at Forth Crescent is to be demolished as the “refurbishment or redevelopment on the site are not recommended as economically viable”.

The council has considered building a new school either at Forth Crescent, adjacent to Park Primary School, or at another site.

A demolish and rebuild has previously been ruled out due to higher costs as it would need to accommodate additional flood and drainage infrastructure.

A new-build would require investment of between £6.8million and £7.6m, not accounting for any abnormalities at a site.

Council papers said the option to co-locate at Alloa Academy “represents an economic, low risk and workable solution”.

And added: “This option secures top grade condition and suitability solutions for education provision.

“Pupils attending St Mungo’s are able to benefit from the additional facilities that a large modern secondary school has that would not be available in a small primary school.”

This includes a greater range of PE facilities and equipment as well as staff, home economics and science facilities, the external grounds and sport facilities and more.

Both headteachers also review operating plans to ensure all learners receive the maximum benefit from the campus and catering facilities.