Parents are urging the council not to close the youngest secondary school in Dalry

Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, External Describes what needs to be done to close a site.

In rural schools such as Daly, the local authority must identify the reasons for the movement and decide whether closure is the most appropriate response.

Part Two will see the education authority advise on a proposal – for at least six weeks including at least 30 school days.

The paper is then taken to Education Scotland which must produce a report on the educational impact within at least three weeks.

The next step – which has no specific time limit – is when the local authority publishes a consular report.

It must then make a final decision at least three weeks later and notify the Scottish Government within six working days if this is to close.

Ministers will then have up to eight weeks to decide whether or not to “call” the measure for further investigation.

If they do, they will head to a school closure review panel that has a maximum of 17 weeks to make a ruling.

If it refuses, a new attempt to close the school cannot be made within five years – unless there is a “significant change” in the situation.