Pupils give thumbs-up to sharing their school sites with each other

Arbroath: Most children at both primaries approve of being in one place

Children at two Angus primary schools have given the thumbs-up to joining forces at a shared campus.

There were 639 responses received during a consultation on the proposal for a shared facility between Hayshead and St Thomas RC primary schools in Arbroath.

The proposal is to develop a building where both would be located, although the schools would still have separate identities.

Both schools will have their own teaching spaces but shared halls and general purpose rooms.

At Hayshead, 231 (63%) children were in favour of a shared campus, 105 (28%) in favour of the schools remaining on separate sites and 32 (9%) had no preference.

At St Thomas, 88 (80%) children were in favour of the shared idea, 13 (12%) for separate sites and 9 (8%) were not yet sure.

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The proposal has clear educational benefits for children who may attend the shared campus in the future

Good points about a shared campus included the chance to make new friends and have more space.

Many children from Hayshead said if the schools remained separate it would mean more space in the new building and less conflict between the schools.

Among Hayshead staff, most had no preference, as it was acknowledged the school would get a new building regardless.

Of the staff at St Thomas, five (50%) were in favour of sharing and four (40%) wanted to stay separate.

The Diocese of Dunkeld had initially said the proposal could lead to a “definite loss of the Catholic school identity”.

However, a second formal response said: “A better option for the future needs of our Catholic children in Arbroath was to positively embrace the proposition of a shared campus with Hayshead Primary.”

Education Scotland said: “The proposal has clear educational benefits for children who may attend the shared campus in the future.

“These include... a modern, purposebuilt accommodation.

“Children will potentially have access to increased learning opportunities and better socialisation across both schools.”

The decision will be considered at the children and learning committee on November 7.