THE number of pupils attending primary school in Helensburgh and Lomond has fallen by 11 per cent over five academic years, a report has revealed.
But attainment remains high among those pupils, with some positive statistics returned for numeracy and literacy achievements in session 2024/25.
Changes in pupil roll numbers at the 12 council-run primary schools across the administrative area of Argyll and Bute between 2021/22 and 2025/26 have been detailed.
Numbers at two primary schools have almost halved during that time, while another has seen its number go up by 68 per cent. Only three of the 12 schools have seen any increase.
The statistics are revealed in a report to go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee at its meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
Garelochhead Primary School’s pupil roll has fallen from 121 in 2021/22 to 69 in 2025/26, a decrease of 43 per cent. Arrochar Primary School’s total has fallen by 46 per cent, from 54 to 29.
Meanwhile, Parklands School’s primary numbers have gone up by 68 per cent, from 19 to 32. St Joseph’s Primary School (10 per cent) and Hermitage Primary School (one per cent) are the only others to see an increase.
Hermitage Primary remains the primary school with the highest roll, with 372 pupils in 2025/26. Colgrain Primary School is next with 225.
Meanwhile, literacy and numeracy attainment figures remain at high levels for P7 pupils across schools in Helensburgh and Lomond (HALCO).
On statistics in June 2025, the report said: “In listening and talking, 98 per cent of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is compared with 88 per cent at authority level and 89 per cent nationally. In listening and talking, performance in HALCO has increased by 10 percentage points in the last five years.
“In reading, 88 per cent of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is compared with 82 per cent at authority level and 82 per cent nationally. In reading, performance in HALCO has increased by six percentage points in the last five years.
“In writing, 83 per cent of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is compared with 73 per cent at authority level and 77 per cent nationally. In writing, performance in HALCO has increased by eight percentage points in the last five years.
“In numeracy, 86 per cent of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is compared with 77 per cent at authority level and 79 per cent nationally. In numeracy, performance in HALCO has increased by three percentage points in the last five years.”
The report also lists similarly positive figures for P1 and P4 pupils, achieving early level and first level respectively.
