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Menzieshill High campaigners appeal to First Minister in bid halt school’s closure

Menzieshill High campaigners appeal to First Minister in bid halt school’s closure

Hopes of saving Menzieshill High School now rest with Nicola Sturgeon, campaigners have said.

Reverend Bob Mallinson, chairman of the campaign to save the institution, said the group had done “as much as they can” after he penned the letter to the First Minister asking her to review the closure.

Councillors voted to shut the school in June but Mr Mallinson believes the decision is invalid because of council failings.

Grounds for appeal include claims the council made decisions that “foreclosed alternative options to closure” and that the organisation of the consultation process was “rudimentary”.

The letter also described the size of the new Harris Academy building where pupils from Menzieshill High will be accommodated from 2016 as too small.

Mr Mallinson said: “The council organisation of the consultation meeting at Menzieshill High School on January 22 was rudimentary. There was no personal address system in place and no running microphones available so that speakers and questioners could be heard.

“The consultation documents issued by the council did not list nor elaborate on any alternatives to either the closure of Menzieshill High or the continuing reduction of its school roll.

“During the consultation the directorate claimed that the new Harris Academy would not be overcrowded. It came to light after the consultation had closed that this is not strictly true.

“Three year groups in session 2016/17 in the new Harris are, according to the council’s projected figures, larger than the maximum S1 intake of 240 for the school”

Mr Mallinson added: “We have worked long and hard to save Menzieshill but it’s now out of our hands.”

Council education convener Stewart Hunter said he understood the closure was “highly emotive” but that he had confidence in the local authority’s procedures. He added: “I am confident that the decision to close Menzieshill High school will provide significant educational benefit to the young people of the Menzieshill and Charleston areas.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local authorities are best placed to consider how to deliver services across their communities and when it is necessary to close a school.

“The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 provides a rigorous consultation process that local authorities must comply with, including the right for communities to challenge any inaccuracies in council proposals.

“The School Closure Review Panel now has responsibility for reviewing cases called in by Ministers and reaching a final determination. The panel can give consent to a closure, with or without conditions, refer it back to the local authority to consider again, or refuse consent.”