Parents' anger as city officials 'measure up' school facing axe

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009 09:46

EDUCATION bosses have been accused of "measuring up" an under-threat primary before a consultation into its closure has even got under way.

Officials were said to have been spotted taking measurements of the rooms and buildings at Fort Primary in Leith during the summer holidays, sparking claims that the council's consultation into the proposed closure is a "charade".

The criticism came as campaigners from all four primary schools facing closure – Fort, Burdiehouse, Royston and Drumbrae – put their cases to the education committee for the first time.

The Fighting for Fort campaigners told councillors that attainment figures from Fort cannot be compared with city-wide figures, but only those of other schools in deprived areas.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro said:

"It's understood that the education, children and families department is looking at the school for potential office space and if they are measuring it up it looks like the decision has been taken."

Parents accused the council of producing "flawed" arguments for closing the schools and of putting forward "questionable" figures to enhance the proposal.

Royston parents argued that their school no longer meets the criteria for proposed closure as its capacity has increased slightly since the original documents were prepared about a year ago.

Burdiehouse campaigners argued that sending their children to the neighbouring Gracemount school would involve them walking further and may lead to some pupils not bothering to turn up.

The Save Drumbrae group said they were worried about the educational impact it would have on the children and the effect it would have on the community.

Parish minister Rev Alistair Keil said: "I am astonished that not one of the community groups using the school has been contacted regarding this proposal."

Parents from some of the proposed receiving schools – Clermiston, East Craigs and Trinity – also turned up at yesterday's meeting to highlight the negative impact increasing their school rolls would have.

Parents at Trinity argued that having the additional pupils from Fort would put pressure on the school's facilities, and children would miss out on the required two hours of PE each week.

Clermiston parents said that closing Drumbrae would cost the council more in the long run as new housing developments and more family homes becoming available would mean a new school would be required "at some point in the next ten years".

East Craigs parents believe their school could not cope with the increased capacity, and would put pressure on teachers and extra-curricular opportunities.

A city council spokesman said: "We are not aware of the specific circumstances referred to by Councillor Munro.

"We are committed to an open consultation process and are not making any assumptions as to the outcome. We must ensure that we have as much accurate information as possible about the schools involved so that we can make an informed and fair decision."