Parents of pupils at a closure-threatened school in Kirkcaldy have called on Fife Council to withdraw its consultation process on the school’s future.
Members of the Dunearn Primary Parent Forum have expressed anger over plans to shut the school, after a meeting of the parent council on Thursday, with a consultation on the issue due to run until the middle of next month.
Education officials have suggested Dunearn should be closed as it is “significantly under capacity,” has a poor condition rating and has significant structural damage pointing out that a re-zoning of catchment areas would see pupils accommodated in Fair Isle, Strathallan, Torbain and Valley primary schools nearby.
Parents oppose any change and have written an open letter to Michael Enston, the executive director for performance and organisational support, asking for the consultation to be scrapped.
Fiona Johnston, chairwoman of Dunearn’s parent council, said parents and the wider community feel the consultation is “fundamentally flawed” and does not meet the requirements of the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act.
“This proposal for the closure of Dunearn Primary School and the intended changes to catchment areas will have a wide impact on the Templehall community and it is imperative in a democratic society that all residents are party to sufficient information in order to feed back their concerns to the education authority,” she explained.
“It is only then that their views can be properly represented.
“It is in the public interest that all options are fully explored and the views of all local residents impacted by the proposal are canvassed.
“Only then will the requirements of the aforementioned act be met and a ‘fit for purpose’ consultation process followed.
“We would ask that the current ‘consultation’ be withdrawn with immediate effect.”
Mrs Johnston also claimed the consultation is contrary to the 10 National Standards for Community Engagement adopted by Fife Council.
Various points are raised in her letter, including claims that an educational benefits statement with the proposal is not detailed enough, and that no public meeting was advertised.
Senior education manager James McKinstry stressed no decision has been taken and a “genuine” consultation is under way.
“In line with the relevant legislation all views expressed as part of the consultation will be reported back to council committee to inform final deliberations,” he added.
“The consultation process will run for a minimum of six weeks and will be monitored throughout, including a report being submitted to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.
“Throughout the process the education service is required to comply with the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010.
“The comments made by the Parent Council will be investigated by relevant officers and reported back to them.”
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Pink Sherbet Photography.