Crowdfunding appeal to ‘Save Beaconhurst’
Staff and parents are asking for help to“Save Beaconhurst”.
Yesterday an online crowdfunding page, set up by the school’s deputy headteacher Iain Morrison among others, had reached only around £500.
However, some said oral pledges totalling tens of thousands had been made so far by families who attended a meeting requested by them a few days ago.
The campaign, at www. thebeaconhurstfamily. org, says:“We have one chance to reopen the doors of this remarkable school in August.
“We could look back on 2018 in years to come and say‘we didn’t know what whe had till it was gone’. We can do better than that.”
In a letter to parents outlining the meeting, Mr Morrison said: There was excellent discussion between myself, parents and staff and I outlined the financial support required for Beaconhurst to continue. I also explained this was still very high risk as confidence in the branch will be lost and families will already have made a decision to leave.
“I was met with overwhelming support and confidence and the parent body represented wanted to move forward.”
While admitting it could be a“long journey”he added that all parents present had indicated they would have their children return if the school did reopen in August and there were “various commitments to financially support and invest in the school”as well as the offer of professional services.
It is believed a further meeting is to be held outlining the start of a business plan, at which more famlies are expected to attend given the withdrawal of the nursery and junior school.
Among those urging people to support the campaign is Dunblane optician Niall Erskine, uncle of Wimbledon champs Andy and Jamie Murray and brother of Judy.
Mr Erskine, who described the meeting earlier this week as “promising”, tweeted: “Please consider a wee help (or not so wee). Amazing school that needs quick and unexpected help if it is to avoid closing forever.”