Pupils in Invergowrie have written to Dundee education chiefs urging them to rethink catchment area changes which could leave some children facing a 20-mile journey to school.
Youngsters in the village, which falls within Perth and Kinross Council’s boundary, are currently able to attend Harris Academy in Dundee or Perth High School.
But plans to realign Harris’ feeder primary schools and redraw its catchment area mean Invergowrie pupils will no longer be automatically eligible for a place, instead being forced to travel to Perth High School 20 miles away.
Children and parents met last night with Dundee City Council’s education convener Stewart Hunter to exchange letters and pictures calling for a rethink on the move.
Leigh Hebenton was one of the parents at the meeting and said the “biggest shock” was how quickly changes were set to take place, with the new boundaries expected to be introduced from next year.
She said: “If you look at the population of Invergowrie Primary School, 35% actually reside within the Dundee City Council boundary, so we’re only talking probably about 12 or 13 a year who will be impacted and have to go to Perth.
“That seems like quite a small number of children to have to upset because there’s a line in the road.
“Our kids live in Dundee. They play football in Dundee, they go to gymnastic clubs and swim teams in Dundee, we spend all our money here.
“It’s a bit harsh just because a line was drawn there for reasons we don’t really know to tear up decades of community.”
Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes helped arrange the exchange of letters and thanked Mr Hunter for listening to the views.
He said: “The children at Invergowrie don’t want to be separated from childhood friends when they leave primary school – they want to continue their education with their friends at Harris Academy.
“Sadly being residents of Perth and Kinross, they don’t have an elected voice on Dundee Council so this is the only way their voice can be heard.”
Despite the plans, applications will still be considered on a case-by-case basis for Harris Academy places and children who live in parts of Invergowrie which fall within Dundee City Council’s borders will remain eligible for a spot.
Mr Hunter pointed to the importance of hearing from everyone affected by the decision, including the pupils at Invergowrie Primary School.
He said: “We’ll listen to everyone’s view points. We want to find a solution that helps everybody.
“It’s a difficult decision for us. We don’t really want to be making kids travel 20 miles to another school but with the situation we’re in, we need to seriously consider that.
“We’ll hear everyone’s views and if we can find a middle ground that can solve the problem for everyone – and it might come out through these letters – then that’s what we should be doing, so we’ll continue to listen.”
The matter is expected to be brought before committee in June.
