Angus Council’s raft of proposals for the county’s schools continues to attract criticism with the intervention of Scotland’s leading rural schools campaigner.
A report to be debated by councillors on Tuesday would see the closure of Lethnot, Tarfside and Stracathro primary schools, with Northmuir, Newbigging, Monikie, Murroes, Friockheim and Inverkeilor subject to ‘grouping’ proposals between 2019 – 2023.
Sandy Longmuir, chair of Scottish Rural Schools Network, has offered “any advice we can” give to communities affected by the potential closures.
Mr Longmuir was drawn into campaigning on education matters when Angus Council previously published plans to shake up the Arbroath school estate, which included a failed primaries super-school merger.
He said: “It takes me back to 2003 when what became the Schools for the Future was launched. We were told that the unprecedented investment in the school estate would revolutionise Scottish education.
“It has revolutionised Scottish education but far from in the way we were promised. Scotland is plummeting down international tables, the attainment gap if anything is widening and teacher dissatisfaction makes the news almost every week in some form or another.
“The difference now is that back in 2003 there were a great number of schools in Scotland which were in a terrible state and something had to be done,” said Mr Longmuir.
“Now it appears in some cases we are building new schools at great expense to replace schools which are currently serviceable and, as the report states, borrowing money to do it.
“That borrowing, just like anybody else’s mortgage, has to be paid for and that money comes out of the revenue budget which otherwise could pay for teaching specialists, visiting music teachers, classroom assistants and so on.”
He continued: “Instead we appear intent on giving it to banks and financial institutions to achieve the ethereal educational benefit of new buildings which Scotland’s recent educational history brings into question.
“I have had contact from parents at Stracathro and it is clear that they feel strongly about their school and its place in the community.
“I understand that at least some of their MSPs are being responsive to their situation and that is most welcome. We at SRSN will also give any advice that we can if the community wish us to assist.”
Previous proposals to close rural schools across Scotland have met with fierce resistance. In 2014, Allan Wright, the then leader of Moray Council, resigned after failing to secure support for closures.
At the time, Mr Longmuir urged other council leaders considering embarking on a programme of school closures, should “take notice of Mr Wright’s fate”.
