Academy parents want school protected
The Breadalbane Academy Parent Council (BAPC) is anxious to see a full range of senior-stage subjects protected for future pupils in Aberfeldy, following the development of the local authority’s plans for education.
The parent body has welcomed recent moves by Perth and Kinross Council to involve Aberfeldy voices in any future rejig to neighbouring Pitlochry High School (PHS).
It comes after BAPC strongly complained there is a possibility that by building up PHS through adding S5 and S6 years there could be a detrimental effect on the offering available at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy.
Ahead of a key education subcommittee meeting tomorrow, when a school estate report will be voted on at 2 High Street, BAPC has been meeting with other parties to share concerns ahead of any decisions.
In a statement to the PA yesterday, a parent council spokesperson said: “We thank the estates team and educational specialists at PKC for the report.
“We particularly welcome the conclusion by PKC educational specialists, backed by their own data, that it would be damaging for all Highland Perthshire pupils if PHS expands to include S5 and S6. This would result in two smaller schools, both with fewer resources and able to offer fewer subjects.
“We call on everyone involved, but particularly councillors and council officials, to put the interests of pupils first and not let political expediency lead to an outcome that will undermine educational provision for all children in Highland Perthshire, for years if not decades to come.
“It is not acceptable for our community and our school to be damaged. In the last few years, Aberfeldy has lost its cottage hospital, its police station, two banks and its visitor centre. If, on top of all this Breadalbane Academy loses pupils and resources, it will be a grievous blow to the sustainability of civic life in our rural community.
“Given the impact any decision will have on Breadalbane Academy, we are pleased that after nearly three years, this report recommends our involvement and input and we have welcomed our other feeder schools to contribute too.”
In an update report published on March 27, it was noted that of five options for PHS tabled, there was strong support from the community to include S5 and S6 pupils at Pitlochry High School.
There was a view that this would benefit the pupils who currently have to travel to and integrate at Breadalbane Academy at a critical point in their education.
As two of the options relate to year group S4, S5 and S6, known as the senior phase, affect Breadalbane Academy as well as Pitlochry High School, it was proposed in the March report that these be developed further as part of a wider review of the delivery of senior phase education across Highland Perthshire.
It was agreed by the committee that “the wider review would be carried out having regard to the principle that neither school will experience any educational detriment.”
The report recommended the option of closure of Pitlochry High School be removed on the basis there were potential alternatives to closure.
The parents added a further comment ahead of tomorrow’s meeting: “PKC has published its recommendations and these have not supported any option that could cause detriment to Breadalbane Academy or PHS.
“BA Parent Council continues to request for more evidence on how any proposals would work in practice and we continue to carefully monitor the proposed partnership lest there is any negative impacts or material changes in provision of education in Highland Perthshire.
“We hope that the recommended option, enhancement for all Highland Perthshire, will be a genuine opportunity for Breadalbane Academy and Pitlochry High School to work together, focused on what’s best for all children throughout our mutual catchment area.”