Wilton Centre
On 27 March 2025, we considered the statutory consultation process undertaken regarding Wilton Centre Hawick and the terms of the Consultation Report dated 25 January 2025.
The Proposal to permanently close the Wilton Centre, Hawick, will take effect, in accordance with The Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010 ( as Amended).
Notification and representation to Scottish Ministers
In accordance with Section 15 (2) and 2(A) of the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010 (as amended) we have informed Scottish Ministers of its decision to approve the proposal to close The Wilton Centre, Hawick on a permanent basis.
The legislation allows for any person to make representations either against or to support the closure to Scottish Ministers within three weeks of the final decision to implement a closure proposal. Any representations to Scottish Ministers need to be with the Ministers within three weeks of this date. Therefore, any representations must be made to Scottish Ministers by midnight on 16 April 2025.
Anyone wishing to make a representation to Scottish Ministers during the three-week period referred to above should do so by email to schoolclosure@gov.scot
or in writing to:
The Scottish Government
School Infrastructure Unit
Area 2B (North)
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
EH6 6QQ
The Scottish Ministers then have a period of five weeks following the three-week period for representations, in which to decide whether to call in the decision or not.
Further information is available by contacting the School Estates Team:
- phone: 01835 824000
- email: schoolestates@scotborders.gov.uk (please indicate Wilton Centre, Hawick in the email subject header)
Publication of Consultation report
This Consultation Report was published from 28 January until 25 February 2025. Allowing all parties to review the document prior to a final submission of The Consultation Report to ourselves on 27 March 2025.
Proposals and consultation - Wilton Centre Hawick
Formal consultation
On 29 August 2024 we agreed to progress the Statutory consultation process for permanent closure of the Wilton Centre, Hawick.
The Proposal Paper concluded that permanent closure was the most reasonable option given the educational benefits of the redesign of the Inclusion and Wellbeing Service which is now provided within the cluster model approach, and which aligns with national guidance to support addressing higher emotional needs within universal settings rather than standalone units.
A pre consultation period of engagement was also run from 8 May 2024 – 8 June 2024 prior to the commencement of the formal statutory consultation process, which was undertaken in line with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Both consultations were to ensure full and wide engagement from across the Scottish Borders to inform officers and to develop operational decisions going forward. Feedback is crucial to service led decisions and officers wish to thank all respondents for their thoughtful and considerate feedback.
Public meetings
A public meeting was held at Hawick High School on Wednesday 23 October 2024 between 6pm and 8pm to discuss the proposals. The meeting was an opportunity for interested parties to:
- hear more about the proposals
- ask questions about the proposals
- have their views recorded so that they could be taken into account as part of the consultation process
Anyone wishing to attend was invited to do so.
Details of the presentation given at the meeting and a minute of the meeting can be found in the Consultation Report ( Appendix 2) .