Fife Council has launched a consultation over proposed changes to the school estate.

The local authority is now asking for parents and the wider school community to share their views on plans to close six schools across Fife.

The first phase of the consultation commenced on Monday 16 September with the school communities of Crombie and Wellwood in Dunfermline, Tanshall in Glenrothes and Rathillet, New Gilston and Dunino in North East Fife being asked for their views.

Parents of all the children in the schools affected by potential closure, and those schools which would be receiving the children, have been sent a letter and a full consultation document.

and they are being asked to make their views known on the changes.

Councillor Bryan Poole, Executive Spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People and Families, commented: "This is a critically important stage of the process. The formal consultation is the time when all those with an interest can raise questions and make comments on the proposals. "We have organised a series of public meetings and drop-in sessions in the various areas, where the community can come along and hear the reasons why we have put forward these proposals. They will also have the chance to ask questions and make their views known on the night. The consultation can be completed online.

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"I want to take this opportunity to assure communities that no decisions have been made on any of these schools yet. The purpose of the consultation is to hear the public's opinion and that's what we'll be doing over the next few weeks."

The first phase of the consultation for schools runs started on 16 September and runs until 8 November 2013. Following this, reports on the process will be prepared for Education Scotland.

A decision on what action to take will be made by Elected Members next year and if the Committee agrees to any of the closures, a school could close as early as August 2014.

Phase two of the consultation includes a proposal to close Pitcorthie Primary School and a re-alignment of catchments for Masterton, Canmore and Pitreavie Primary Schools, all in Dunfermline.

The consultation for these proposals will run from 28 October to 9 December 2013.

(JP/MH)