The campaign to save a Dunfermline primary school from closure has been given a boost with confirmation the Scottish Government has called in Fife Council’s closure decision.
Parent campaigners said yesterday their mood is now one of “hope and joy”, as they promised to keep fighting for their children’s future at Pitcorthie.
Fife Council’s executive committee endorsed the closure on April 15, despite its education scrutiny committee calling for a review and rethink of the closure.
However, the same scrutiny committee voted in favour of the closure when it was referred back to members two weeks later.
There has been controversy over the condition of the building. Campaigners for the school highlighted the fact the council’s own experts judged the structure to be safe and not in need of urgent repair.
Education officials said there were too many primary school places in the area and although not the main reason for closure, the building’s condition was a factor because it would need at least £3 million in repairs.
News that the Scottish Government have called in Fife Council’s decision to close the school from August 2015 came in a letter to parents on Tuesday.
Parent Andrew Hutchison of the Save Pitcorthie campaign group told The Courier: “We are glad the school has been called in, as we believe there is such a strong case to retain this school.
“The mood among parents now is of hope and joy. Someone at last will look at this for its merits and not party politics.”
Dunfermline Labour MSP and Fife councillor Cara Hilton, who has spoken out against the Labour council’s decision, said: “I’m delighted the Scottish Government have agreed to the call in requests submitted by myself and 26 other parents and local, elected representatives. This is a great boost to all of us who have been campaigning hard to keep Pitcorthie Primary and Nursery open.
“Pitcorthie is one of the best schools in Fife; in fact, on June 24, the school is being assessed for its level two Rights Respecting Schools Award from Unicef.
“If successful, Pitcorthie will be only the second school in Dunfermline and one of only a handful in Fife to receive this prestigious award, more evidence of the vital contribution Pitcorthie makes to our children and our community.
“I hope all the evidence will be scrutinised carefully, that common sense will prevail and the short-sighted decision to close Pitcorthie will be overturned.
“I will continue to work alongside the Save Pitcorthie Committee to save this fantastic and sustainable school from closure. Pitcorthie’s future is now in the Scottish Government’s hands and I hope they make the right decision for our local community.”
Shelagh McLean, Fife Council directorate resources manager, said: “Following the decision of Fife Council on April 29 2014 to proceed with the closure of Pitcorthie Primary School, the Scottish Government has indicated it will call in the closure proposal.
“The call in will allow the Scottish ministers further time to consider aspects of the proposal in more detail, and will seek further information from Fife Council to help them to do this. Fife Council fully appreciates the importance of this decision and looks forward to working with the Scottish Government to provide any information required to enable them to reach a final decision.”
Ms McLean said the council decisions to close Tanshall, Dunino and Wellwood primaries are still with Scottish ministers for them to decide the next steps.