Our schools must be protected
The school review process has been the defining feature of this Conservative council administration and as the second tranche of reviews gets up and running communities across Perth and Kinross remain concerned about the future of their schools.
Schools from the first round of this review are already earmarked for closure and the sheer scale has already had repercussions for many schools simply by being included on the councils hit list.
It is therefore important for parents from all the schools currently under review to come together to share best practice and ideas about how to ensure our schools remain open.
Perth and Kinross Conservatives have already voted to close Balhousie Primary School after a year of debate about its future.
I previously warned about the effects an extended period of uncertainty would have on these schools.
Prolonging the consultation period means parents are less likely to send their children to schools which may not be there in a years’time.
It also means the local authority is unlikely to invest much money in the buildings until their fate is known.
With Abernyte, Balhousie, Forteviot and Blairingone already earmarked for closure, this Tory council really have built a reputation of closing schools, especially ones in rural communities.
We know how important rural schools are to our fragile rural economy. close
For many people, the school is the hub of the community.
It is where people gather to meet and in many of our communities, it is the only community meeting place left.
When we are considering these closures, we mustn’t look simply at the school role or the condition of the building, we really should be considering what community good the facility also provides.
I will be hosting a meeting on Thursday, November 15 at 7pm in the Royal George Hotel in Perth.
This meeting is open to all and will provide an opportunity for those across Perth and Kinross to come together and discuss these school closure plans.
From previous experience, it often helps communities, especially those smaller ones, to get together and to share best practice on how to respond to the consultation and how to best lobby for the schools to remain open.
With Schools like Pitlochry High School and Grandtully Primary School on the line, it really is important that parent’s voices are heard loudly and clearly.
I know that many options have been put forward by parents regarding the future of Pitlochry High and it is important that we take time to consider what will have the greatest chance of success to ensure that there is a high school in Pitlochry for generations to come.
The Conservative administration must listen to the parents and pupils - we value our schools and we won’t allow you to close anymore. Pitlochry High is another school that could