Concern at school changes

EDUCATION bosses are being urged to reconsider plans to remove Invergowrie Primary School from the Harris Academy catchment area.

In a letter to Dundee City Council, Harris Parent Council chairman Graham McKay calls the rationale for the move “unsubstantiated”.

He feared it could break the connections between the Dundee and Invergowrie communities.

Mr McKay said: “The pupils, parents, carers, former pupils and community of Invergowrie have been an integral part of the Harris Academy community for many decades and this proposal will sever this link.

“There seems to have been no consideration of the impact of children moving to Harris Academy from Invergowrie and the impact socially, emotionally and academically of being split from close friends they may have shared a classroom with from nursery.”

The parent council also disputed Dundee City Council’s claims that removing Invergowrie Primary, which is in Perth and Kinross but closer to the city than schools in its own council area, could tackle the rising school roll at Harris Academy.

“Nothing in this proposal reduces the number of future places available in Harris Academy,” the letter added.

The parent council’s view is backed by Perth and Kinross Council councillor Angus Forbes – an ex-Harris pupil.

A city council spokesman said: “The council has carried out a thorough consultation exercise on the proposals, inviting people to come forward with comments.

“Any final decision... will be taken by the city council’s children and families service committee.”

Councillor Angus Forbes