The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Stracathro school saved after battle
VICTORY: Parent power brings about U-turn on closure
We can today reveal details of a surprise reprieve for a closure-threatened Angus primary.
Following a spirited campaign, parents can now claim victory in the bid to save Stracathro from the axe.
The highly-rated 17-pupil rural school was earmarked as the first closure target in a 30-year Angus education shake-up.
Opponents had branded the idea “daft” and said the Scottish Government should call in the proposal.
Angus councillors will now be asked to make a U-turn on the shutdown plan when they meet in Forfar next week and council leader Bob Myles has delivered a personal assurance that Stracathro will stay open.
But campaigners say the Champagne will stay on ice until the decision is rubberstamped.
Lee Ann Waddell of the school’s parent council said: “Until the vote goes through on Thursday we cannot rest easy but will wait with baited breath.”
Parents have helped to lift the threat of closure from Stracathro Primary School.
In a wide-ranging shake-up, the local authority proposed to develop Edzell Primary as the rural school for the Brechin cluster, and close Lethnot, Tarfside and Stracathro primaries.
However, in an unexpected announcement, Angus Council chiefs revealed yesterday they are dropping plans to shut the rural primary which had been earmarked for closure in the first stage of a radical 30-year education vision for Angus.
The prospect of the 17-pupil primary closing had triggered a vociferous local campaign, with education officials told at a recent Edzell public meeting to drop the “daft” idea.
A full meeting of Angus Council next Thursday will be told that the intention is to raise the axe from the under-threat rural school.
Ms Lee Ann Waddell, vice-chairwoman of Stracathro Parent Council, gave a cautious welcome to the news.
“We welcome the news, but until the vote goes through on Thursday we cannot rest easy, but will wait with baited breath to see if the proposal to stop the consultation on Stracathro
“Should the vote go our way on Thursday we will have stability once more for our children and we can start piecing our lives back together.
CAMPAIGNER LEE ANN WADDELL
comes to fruition,” she said. “The whole community stepped up when the proposed closure was announced and came out to fight alongside the parents from the school.
“The importance of our rural schools in these widespread communities cannot be underestimated.
“We have fought strongly against this from day one, and are very pleased to know that our views and opinions during the consultation have been taken on board by the council.
“Should the vote go our way on Thursday we will have stability once more for our children and we can start piecing our lives back together.
“Our school motto is Small and Mighty, and it’s a motto we stand by,” she added.
Campaigners had challenged the authority over many aspects of what they branded a “flawed consultation”, warning that they would fight the planned closure “every step of the way”.
Brechin and Edzell Independent and council leader Bob Myles said: “As we set out from the beginning of this process, we aim to conduct this work in an open and transparent manner.
“This includes listening to the community and taking on board their comments and questions.
“Having listened carefully to the feedback and comments received, particularly in relation to parents and carers of children presently attending the schools, it is proposed to stop the current formal consultation on the closure of Stracathro Primary School and its early learning and childcare provision.
“I will give assurance now that Stracathro School will remain open,” said Mr Myles.