The parent council chair of a Perthshire school has advocated expanding the year groups catered for in order to stop them “haemorrhaging” pupils.

Pitlochry High School’s education currently only goes up to S4 and it was one of five schools in the spotlight at a public meeting held at the Royal George Hotel in Perth on Thursday, November 15.

Andy Charlton, chair of the Pitlochry High School Parent Council, has said that the “general consensus” among those in the local area strongly advocate the introduction of S5 and S6 at the school.

The five schools in the current round of the review are: Cleish Primary School, Grandtully Primary School, Logierait Primary School, Pitlochry High School and Ruthvenfield Primary School.

Mr Charlton said: “From what we have seen the general consensus is we want the introduction of S5 and S6.

“The school’s roll has dropped by nearly 20 per cent since this review was announced. So we think bringing in another two years will really help stop the haemorrhaging of pupils.

“We are extremely delighted for the response from the community at the drop-ins.

“We are just supporting the parents, added Mr Charlton.

“If they had said they wanted it open or closed, we would honour that.

“Families won’t want to move to Pitlochry if there is only provision for primary school education and we are already seeing that.

“There is a December 14 deadline for the online questionnaire and then it will be around May time next year at a lifelong learning committee meeting where we will learn what is happening going forward.”

This development follows the local authority’s decision to close several schools in the first tranche of the school estate review.

Perth and North Perthshire MP, Pete Wishart, invited parents, staff and pupils to the public meeting last week to discuss the review and to share ideas to oppose closure plans.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Wishart said: “The overwhelming view from parents is that whilst they understand the need for the school estate to be reviewed, they feel they have not been given enough information and are unsure how best to respond to the process.

“I heard from many parents who are deeply worried that the council is not really listening and that they have already made up their mind about which schools to close.

“We have to ensure that this consultation is a genuine listening exercise and that the views of parents, pupils and staff are heard loudly when it comes to decision time.

“I was pleased to be able to host this event and allow parents from all over Perth and Kinross to come together and to share ideas about how best to oppose closure plans.”

A series of public drop-ins have been held in the Perth and Kinross area as part of the consultation process on the five schools.

Two have already taken place this month and there is one to follow on November 27 at Mid Atholl Hall in Ballinluig for Logierait Primary School and another meeting to be held at Blair Atholl Hall on December 6.