Every child in the Borders deserves a good local school and nursery, and every family deserves a fair hearing.
What’s happening
- Maladministration. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman found the council’s 2025 consultation on closing nurseries at Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Ednam, Walkerburn and Yetholm was “unreasonable and amounted to maladministration”. The closures were reversed and the council has apologised.
- Rural schools under pressure. Eddleston Primary’s closure was approved in July 2026, and Fountainhall Primary is now under statutory consultation.
- Teacher numbers. The council protected teacher numbers in its 2026/27 budget. We will hold it to that.
- Care-experienced children. The Accounts Commission’s 2024 Best Value report found performance on looked-after children’s outcomes had declined.
Our position on schools
- Honest consultation. Clear, lawful and properly recorded, every time. Families shouldn’t need the Ombudsman to be heard.
- Keep rural schools open wherever they are viable, and treat small schools as community assets.
- More teachers, smaller classes. Move temporary teachers onto permanent contracts and work towards classes of 20.
- Additional support needs. More specialist ASN teachers and properly paid support staff.
- Free breakfast clubs in every primary, and mental health counselling in every secondary.
- Children in care first. A published recovery plan for looked-after children, reported on in public.
Our position on childcare
- 1,140 funded hours from the week after a child turns two.
- 570 funded hours for every child aged six months to two years by the end of this parliament.
- Rural base funding so village nurseries and childminders can stay open.
- Wraparound and holiday care that fits shift work and rural school days.
Laura Moodie MSP is the Scottish Greens’ education spokesperson in Holyrood.
