Parents unhappy with consultation on schools merger

Jamie MacDonald • Published 26 May 2010 10:16 2 Comments

THE future of St John's and Claremont primary schools was up for discussion at Alloa Town Hall on Thursday as the final consultation over their proposed merger took place.

A new building has been planned at Redwell playing fields to replace both schools although the proposal has been met with a mixed response.

Parents of children at St John's had previously raised concerns over the size of the combined new school, which at 473 pupils would be the biggest primary in the county, and its effect on children's school experience.

Meanwhile, Claremont parents were worried about their children having to cross the busy A907 Stirling road and the proximity of the rail line.

Speaking after the meeting, Anthony Cassidy, chair of St John's Parent Council, told the Advertiser, "The presentation by the council officers was good but to me, and speaking as chair of the parent council, I don't think anything changed.

"We believe that the best interest of St John's are best represented by a rebuilt St John's. There seems to be little appetite for a merged school.

"The original proposal is still the recommended proposal, it makes it feel like consultation has been a token period, little has changed and they have not taken on our concerns.

"I have concerns that the Schools Consultation Scotland Act is not being fully followed."

Mr Cassidy added that the act stated a merger had to be justified by educational benefits.

As it is work is required on both schools and the pair are rated as class C for providing education in the 21st century. The condition of St John's building is classed as category D whilst Claremont is category C.

The meeting was attended by councillors Janet Cadenhead, Craig Holden and Mark English.

A final recommended proposal will be put before all of Clackmannanshire's councillors who will make the final decision on the schools' future.

Council leader Cadenhead, said, "What we've learnt from the consultation is that some parents have concerns about the size of the proposed school.

"We've tried to allay these concerns by demonstrating that a school of around 400 pupils can offer a greater variety of activities and clubs, as well as opportunities for setting which encourage high attainment.

"I'm grateful to Carol Leddy, the recently retired head teacher of Tillicoultry Primary School, who explained the advantages of a school this size and how bringing the pupils together can be managed.

"I'd also like to thank all the parents and other individuals who took the time to let us know their views.

"I can appreciate that change on the scale proposed can cause anxiety, but the work we've done shows that a new building environment and a larger school roll can reinvigorate a school and continue to support the positive ethos and high attainment already in place at both St John's and Claremont.

"We believe that a new school, part funded by the Scottish Government, gives the best outcome for children at both schools."

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• 

  Jimmy Lafferty
  Unregistered User
  Jun 11, 08:50
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  Complete rubbish, its all about real estate value, this grounds worth a lot of money and with the sell off of academy ground its easier if this was schoolw asnt in the way.The new houses that will be built will have an access road where the primary school is now giving easy access to main road where its easier commuting to either glasgow or edinburgh, this is all about money nothing else, the money to fill the gap left because the powers that be overspent..
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Philip K Watson
  Unregistered User
  Dec 13, 20:35
  Report comment

  I had the privilege of the educational facilities provided at St Johns when it was at Grant Street and at its present site in Grange road when the secondary school was the then Alloa Technical and Commercial school. In my third year, class of 1945, the system of education produced pupils with the ability to progress to become:-
  
  The provost of Alloa for many terms.
  
  The youngest, a record at that time, to gain sea faring qualifications to enable him to Captain an ocean going vessel.
  
  The manager of an extremely important factory providing essential national and international services.
  
  I myself attained the qualification of Chartered Engineer. This with the help provided by Clackmannan Education Department through their further education policy.
  
  It is with great sadness I read this convoluted article.
  
  Philip K. Watson.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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