The head teachers of two schools that would suffer most if the RAF was to withdraw from Leuchars have talked about the impact it would have on the area”s education provision.
At Leuchars Primary School, 65% of pupils are from families employed at the base, although the proportion is often as high as 85%, while at Madras College in St Andrews, almost one in 10 pupils is from an RAF family.
The loss of such a large number of pupils would call into question the viability of Leuchars Primary School as it is a view that is shared by Fife Council and the school’s head teacher, Patricia Johnston.
Mrs Johnston told The Courier that ending the RAF”s association with Leuchars would leave a “big gap.”
She said, “Because such a large percentage of our children do come from families working at RAF Leuchars, it would take the heart out of our school community. The viability of the school would be thrown into question in its present form.”
As well as sustaining the school through pupil numbers, learning at the school is enhanced by the contribution by base personne
Mrs Johnston said, “The RAF base and the school have a good relationship and the school has benefited in many ways.”
Air force personnel have made physical improvements to the school, such as installing outdoor play equipment and helping to build its outdoor classroom.
Service men and women often come into the school to teach youngsters about the work they do or to give training in various skills.
Mrs Johnstone said, “This term alone RAF personnel are going to assist with a cycling proficiency course, conduct road safety exercises and work with the children on a conservation programme.”Madras College
When pupils from Leuchars or nearby areas go to high school, it is more often than not to Madras College.
Rector Ian Jones fears he could lose staff, courses and other benefits of having an RAF base in the catchment area if the air force was to be withdrawn from Fife.
He said, “Just under 10% of our pupil roll is made up of children from families involved in RAF Leuchars. That”s approximately 140 pupils and that would relate in real terms to about 10 teachers.”
RAF Leuchars provides an awful lot more for the school than simply pupils, he added.
“It provides career opportunities. They give us work experience placements, for example,” he said. “They have in the past provided people to help with developments such as our eco-gardens at South Street and Kilrymont.
“They have given us coaching in hockey, they have done work with some of the more vulnerable pupils and given leadership training … I very much view RAF Leuchars as a good neighbour.”
The economic impact report produced by Fife Council in support of the RAF base”s retention claims the air force plays a key role in community life in Leuchars and the surrounding areas.
It states, “RAF Leuchars contributes a significant proportion of the area”s primary and secondary school rolls. The impact of the population loss associated with closure of the base would call into question the viability of the local primary school in its current form even for the short term.”
Across Madras College’s 14 feeder primary schools the percentage of children from air force families was 11%.
Other schools that would be most affected include Guardbridge Primary School and Balmullo Primary School.To show your support for RAF Leuchars, leave a comment below or click here.