The movie helped put Cumbernauld on the map

One of the contenders for closure is Abronhill, which is one of the most famous schools in Scotland.

The school, which has 580 pupils, is credited with putting Cumbernauld on the map after it was the location of the 1981 film starring John Gordon Sinclair, Clare Grogan and Dee Hepburn.

Gregory's Girl - written and directed by Bill Forsyth - was the story of a Scottish teenager Gregory, his coming of age and his attempts to find romance.

A sequel, again written by Bill Forsyth, was also set in Cumbernauld, and featured Gregory as a teacher returning to his old school - Abronhill.

Michael O'Neill, the council's director of education, said: "Abronhill High School's closure is only one of a number of proposals which the council is currently considering as part of our ambitious �150m public-private partnership scheme to improve schools in North Lanarkshire, �9m of which will see the complete refurbishment of the town's Cumbernauld and Greenfaulds High Schools.

'Difficult decisions'

"I appreciate that all schools have a tradition and history that they are rightly proud of and Abronhill is no exception.

"However schools must move on and to provide our pupils with the type of accommodation that matches the high quality of teaching and learning we provide in North Lanarkshire, difficult decisions have to be made."

The proposals were drawn up following an analysis of the condition, location and usage of all of the council's schools.

It was revealed repairs totalling �100m were needed and that there is under-capacity of up to 50% in some schools.

Abronhill High School, which was built 23 years ago with the capacity for 1,000 pupils, now has 580 pupils while the projected roll for 2011 is 500.