Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Salsburgh residents are set for school rezoning defeat
Education committee voting as Advertiser goes to press
Proposals for pupils leaving Kirk O’Shotts Primary to transfer to high school in Shotts instead of Airdrie are set to go ahead – despite opposition f rom Sa l s b u rgh residents.
North Lanarkshire’s education committee was meeting as the Advertiser went to press yesterday, with councillors being asked to approve a recommendation that the school be rezoned to the Calderhead High catchment instead of Caldervale as at present.
A 266-signature petition opposing the plans was submitted during the consultation period in January and February which also saw the council receive a further 24 negative responses with 12 in favour, while 43 of the 55 submitted pupil consultations were against the change.
Consultation responses argued that information that the Shotts secondary is one mile closer, at 3.5 miles, is incorrect ; that pupils involved in the Active Schools programme would “miss out greatly” by transferring to the Shotts cluster; and that the village “is linked more closely with Airdrie than Shotts”, highlighting the fact that there is a bus service from Salsburgh to the former town but no public transport to the latter.
Officials responded in the report presented to councillors that they would “enter into dialogue with bus companies”, saying: “The council will investigate whether any proposed public transport service between Salsburgh and Shotts would be feasible and financially viable.
“Such an undertaking cannot, however, be taken as proof that a new service will definitely commence between these locations.”
It adds: “A strong link between Salsburgh and Airdrie will remain even if the proposal is approved; however, Education, Youth and Communities would also argue that a stronger link with the community of Shotts and the Wishaw area would link the school with its natural hinterland.”
Education Scotland noted that “there are potential educat i o nal benefits including the potential to improve school community links” but that the council’s statement on the subject was not sufficiently detailed or specific [ and] does not provide details on how learning experiences and outcomes for young people would improve”.
Their report adds: “Staff, parents and young people at Caldervale High School did not support the proposed change; they valued the school’s long- standing association with Kirk O’Shotts Primary.
“Staff felt the bigger school roll and its greater capacity could result in young people experiencing a potentially broader range of subject choices. Stakeholders felt that the historical ties, ongoing sporting links and public transport between Airdrie and Salsburgh, were important issues.”
The Calderhead community “could see merit in the proposal”, including ease of transition to a smaller secondary, while inspectors said: “Parents, children and staff who spoke with inspectors at Kirk O’Shotts had mixed views”.
Rezoning would be due to take effect from August, with the first affected pupils – numbering an average of 11 per year – then transferring to high school in 2019.
Younger siblings of existing Caldervale pupils would still be able to transfer automatically to the Airdrie school during a five- year transition period, with the move costing an estimated £15,000-£20,000 for school transport.
Inspectors also noted that “the council will need to consider any implications of the shared headship role planned with Calderbank Primary” and Kirk O’Shotts, as the two schools would thereafter belong to different school clusters in separate towns.