Wishart wants halt to school estate review

school buildings.

He added:“This schools estates transformation review has been an unmitigated disaster for my constituents, alarming and unsettling school communities the length and breadth of the county area.”

Nearly a fifth of Perth and Kinross schools are under review:“We cannot have a process that has such a huge percentage of council schools under review,”he blasted.

“This [review] has an impact on these school’s ability to attract pupils and it saps the confidence of fragile communities, where the local school is a key feature of that community infrastructure.

“This review must stop now, and a more sympathetic and credible schools review process put in place.”

Responding to Wishart’s claims , the convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee, Councillor Caroline Shiers said:“The second stage of the school estate review is drawing to an end and papers will be submitted to the lifelong learning committee within the next couple of months, outlining options for consideration.”

Cllr Shiers continued in her defence of the programme:“We have received confirmation from Education Scotland that the process we have followed has been correct.

“I am grateful to PKC staff who have ensured the process has been thorough and that it has complied with the presumption against closure of rural schools as I am sure Mr Wishart will be well aware.

“I understand fully the concerns of local parents and have appreciated the good attendance at public sessions.”

Meanwhile, chair of Aberfeldy Community Council, Victor Clements encouraged Breadalbane Academy Parent Council to outline what it considered a proper review and consultation should look like, adding:“That way, if or when the current process hits the buffers, there is an alternative arrangement in place.

“There is a risk that if the current review crashes, the situation just drifts, and in five-10 years time, children will be worse off because councillors couldn’t make the right decisions now.

“The status quo could be the worst outcome of all.”