Falconer announces Boxing Day show

SINGER Kyle Falconer will play a special Boxing Day show at the Record Factory in Glasgow.

The star will be at the venue in the city’s West End for a solo performance on December 26.

Kyle was a member of the indie band The View who hail from Dundee.

They are best known for their 2007 single Same Jeans which reached number three in the UK singles chart.

Kyle, 32, released his solo album No Thank You last year, reaching the top 40 in the UK album charts.

Tickets for the show are on sale now via Skiddle.

PUPILS at Scotland’s last remaining state girls school are begging councillors to change their mind and vote to keep boys out of its classrooms.

It is almost certain Glasgow councillors will back co-education at Notre Dame High School when they meet today after Labour joined the SNP, Tories and Greens in revealing their support for the move. But upset students have made a last-ditch plea to elected members, urging them to reverse their position.

“We feel ignored by councillors and that democracy is being overruled by power,” they said in a statement.

“Many girls travel miles each day, often coming from some of the most deprived postcodes to choose this amazing opportunity of an education.”

Notre Dame has 728 pupils with 580 students joining as a result of placing requests, coming from over 50 primary schools across the city.

Almost 5000 people responded to public consultation on the school’s future, with 39.9% supporting the status quo and 13.4% voting to keep the school single sex but expand the catchment area. Co-education was backed by 45.9% of respondents.

An Education Scotland report found no “convincing evidence” to support claims that girls “are attaining better or indeed worse in a single sex environment”. It did state staff found it challenging to ensure effective transitions for children from so many primary schools.

The pupils held a peaceful protest outside the city chambers earlier this month, handing a petition with over 500 signatures to the council’s education convener Chris Cunningham.

“Many girls have admitted to losing faith in the democratic system, with many realising that our views, votes and concerns do not mean anything and it really just comes down to power and politics,” they said.

“Although some see the change as bringing gender equality to the school, it would remove the equitable factor, which we feel to be much more important, as it would yet again take away a positive opportunity from hundreds of girls all over Glasgow, to give those who already have lots, another choice.

“In a country where women are still not paid the same as their male counterparts, we struggle to understand why our school, that teaches women to empower other women, and encourages girls to study subjects that are generally dominated by male students, such as STEM, is going to change to another West End mixed school.”

They argue there are many other good schools in the area, listing St Thomas Aquinas, Hillhead and Hyndland secondary schools.

A report to councillors, by Mr Cunningham, states the recommended option is to allow boys into the school.

Glasgow Labour Group leader Frank McAveety said his party has decided to support co-education.

“This view is the result of extensive deliberation, representations from both campaign groups, and conversations with the girls at Notre Dame,” he said.

“This decision was not one to be taken lightly, and we recognise that there are powerful arguments on both sides of this debate.

“We also recognise the change will be particularly difficult for those directly affected.

“However, we know that our young people – in Notre Dame and across the City – will continue to thrive. We pay tribute to the role of Notre Dame High in the past, and the role it will play in future in transforming the life chances of the young people who pass through its doors.

“We will work with families and young people to ensure that we meet their aspirations in full. Glasgow’s young people have so much potential, no matter their background. It is our responsibility to make sure that we support all of our teachers and all of our schools to continue to realise that potential.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Elected members at the City Administration Committee will make a decision based on the report and recommendations by education officials following the public consultation.”

If approved, boys would be allowed into the school from August 2021.