Furious parents attack merger
Threat of legal action
Beaconhurst School and Morrison’s Academy have come under fire from parents in the wake of last week’s shock announcement that the former’s senior school was to close.
As reported in last Wednesday’s Stirling Observer, the independent school made the announcement last Tuesday, saying it was part of a merger with Morrison’s Academy in Crieff.
Only the nursery and junior schools will stay on the Bridge of Allan site.
Relatives who contacted the Observer wished to remain anonymous but said the way the announcement had been handled had left a sour taste.
Many said they had been “blindsided” just days before the start of the summer break.
Some had been left frantically seeking alternative school places, unwilling for their children to make the trip to Crieff which is 20 miles from Bridge of Allan.
Stirling Council said there had been enquiries for secondary school placements from the parents of some of the 122 children affected and that it had received no prior warning of the Beaconhurst School decision.
One relative said: “Some parents feel they have been left with no option but to let their children transfer to Morrison’s at the start of the new term, at least for the meantime.
“But others have spent the last few days trying to find places at other schools, not only other independent schools such as Dollar Academy but in state secondary schools.
“Parents had no warning. We all received an email at 7pm on the Monday night.”
Claims were also made that none of the staff affected had been taken on by Morrison’s and that there seemed to be no arrangement in place for refunds for the likes of blazers and school trips.
Both schools charge around £13,000 a year for a senior education.
One angry dad said: “Some parents have spent tens of thousands of pounds sending their children to Beaconhurst over a number of years, with some sending more than one child.
“While some may have that money available, there are others who have made sacrifices in the hope of giving their children a better chance in life and benefit from things such as smaller class sizes.
“But this is more than just about money. To see the upset this has caused has been heartbreaking. This is also about children being split up from their friends, teachers and an environment they knew.
“Some parents are considering legal action over the way this has been conducted.”
The Observer put some of the concerns to the schools, who provided the answers below.