FOUR schools in Helensburgh and Lomond are projected to operate at less than half their capacity in the new term.

Figures obtained by the Advertiser under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act also show that Rhu Primary was predicted to be 88 per cent full when pupils returned on Tuesday.

John Logie Baird, Garelochhead and Luss Primary Schools were expected to be less than 40 per cent full, while Rosneath Primary School was also forecast to fill less than half of its capacity.

A further FOI enquiry also discovered that 55 primary and two secondary schools in Argyll and Bute were understaffed at the end of July.

However, many of these were related to cover for teachers’ non-class contact hours, which are taken care of by other staff members.

Garelochhead Primary School is projected to have the lowest roll to capacity ratio in Helensburgh and Lomond, with 116 pupils attending out of a capacity of 355 – 33 per cent.

Following up are Luss (nine out of 25 – 36 per cent), John Logie Baird (145 out of 394 – 37 per cent) and Rosneath (82 out of 179 – 46 per cent) Primary Schools.

St Joseph’s Primary School has 171 pupils out of a capacity of 338 (51 per cent), followed by Kilcreggan (90 out of 165 – 55 per cent), Cardross (166 out of 299 – 56 per cent), and Colgrain (310 out of 462 – 67 per cent) Primary Schools.

Parklands School has 22 pupils in a capacity of 32, while operating at more than 70 per cent capacity are Arrochar (61 out of 83 – 73 per cent) and Hermitage (363 out of 490 – 74 per cent) Primary Schools. Hermitage Academy is also at 76 per cent capacity, with 1,285 pupils filling a capacity for 1,686.

Meanwhile, Rhu Primary has the greatest ratio for pupils to capacity, with 218 pupils attending a school with room for 247.

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson stated that it is hoped to grow the population of the area, and as a result make schools busier.

The spokesperson said: “It is a key priority of the council to grow our economy and attract people and businesses to the area, a consequence of which will be an increase in the number of school pupils.

“A recent report from the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum described the progress on this front as ‘very encouraging,’ although there is still work to be done.

“In regards to vacant teaching posts, many of these relate to a small number of hours per week which are covered by other staff members as required.

“We’re determined to give our young people the best start in life with an excellent education, and the exam results released this month give an indication of the good work our schools are doing.”