An alternative school in southern Scotland which was closed more than a decade ago after being criticised by education inspectors is set to reopen.

Kilquhanity House near Castle Douglas has been given the go-ahead to become a day school for 15 pupils.

Former pupil Andrew Pyle is to be the school’s new head teacher.

He said the children would be offered a creative and flexible education where they could choose what to study and homework and exams would be optional.

Kilquhanity House has been closed as a school for 12 years.

Kilquhanity was founded in 1940 by John Aitkenhead to provide an alternative to ordinary schools.

He felt they delivered an education which was too authoritarian and too utilitarian.

At Kilquhanity youngsters were expected to fill their time but could opt to play the piano all day or explore the woods.

Rules were decided by a weekly council meeting in which the youngest child had the same voting rights as the head teacher.

Many youngsters went on to become gifted artists, designers or writers.

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