Stracathro Primary campaigners rubbish suitability survey.

Stracathro: Protesters say it did not meet guidelines from government

Campaigners fighting the proposed closure of Stracathro Primary School say a council survey was “invalid” and should be rendered “null and void.”

Under a Brechin cluster plan, Lethnot, Tarfside and Stracathro schools would close, with youngsters attending an expanded Edzell primary.

The consultation process had been marred with controversy, including the lack of a public meeting – which the council has since arranged.

In a letter sent to members of the council’s children and learning committee following a response to a Freedom of Information request, Lee Ann Waddell, vice-chairwoman of the school’s parent council, highlighted concerns about the manner in which the suitability survey was conducted at Stracathro.

She claimed, against government recommendations, the head teacher did not personally complete the survey but was “merely consulted” on her opinion while visiting Angus Council officers filled in the questionnaire.

She also questioned a property

“The scores for the school suitability surveys were agreed by the head teacher and the other officers at the time of completing the surveys. ANGUS COUNCIL

adviser’s role in the survey, adding: “The absence of any handwritten notes – or indeed any supporting paperwork whatsoever used to justify the scores given in the Stracathro School suitability survey – means there is no auditable trail regarding the completion of the survey.

“I have asked for clarification as to whether the ‘handwritten notes combined to form the single Angus Council supplementary suitability survey’ have in fact been destroyed.

“With no auditable record regarding the compilation of the survey and subsequent evidence it was not completed by the relevant parties in the manner laid out in the government guidelines, there can be no choice but to render the suitability survey for Stracathro Primary School null and void.”

A council spokesperson said: “The staff involved in carrying out the survey with the head teacher included an education professional who could provide an independent view of the suitability of the school and an officer with a property background who could support the education professionals in terms of building knowledge.

“The scores for the school suitability surveys were agreed by the head teacher and the other officers at the time of completing the surveys.

“All comments recorded on the handwritten forms were on the supplementary suitability survey and these were all typed into a single supplementary survey for each school.”

jathomson@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Kim Cessford. Lianne Maclennan and her son Mason, who attends Stracathro Primary School, which is threatened with closure by Angus Council.