Super-school plan to take in three councils

Education: Joint community campus proposal to be unveiled at meeting of Angus Council

A proposal for a joint super-school between Angus, Dundee City, and Perth and Kinross councils will be unveiled at an Angus Council meeting on Thursday.

It is understood land for the new school – to service South Angus, eastern Perthshire and Dundee – has not been identified. However, elected members will hear that a new option to create a joint integrated community campus serving the area is now a possibility.

The news follows an apparent change of heart from one of the councils as discussions between the three local authorities on the subject had previously been described as “exhausted”.

Children and learning vice-convener Derek Wann said: “I welcome the news that Perth and Kinross Council have expressed an appetite to explore working in partnership with us and Dundee City Council to build and run a new joint school in south Angus, Dundee and eastern Perthshire.

“With Perth and Kinross Council currently setting their capital budget in addition to planning the next stage of their school estate review strategy, this now gives us viable options to seriously consider a new community campus,

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This is a hugely exciting project, and one that could bring massive benefits to pupils from across all three council areas. COUNCILLOR DEREK WANN

along with Dundee City Council, that we were not able to explore previously.

“While we are at early stages of our discussions with our neighbouring councils, if the council agrees the extension, the next step is to start a conversation with the communities affected and I will be urging as many people as possible get involved and share their views.

“I understand that this project was mooted some years ago but, with three different parties involved, it was always going to be a challenge, so it is especially good news that progress may now be under way.”

Mr Wann said: “This is a hugely exciting project, and one that could bring massive benefits to pupils from across all three council areas.

“However, there are a number of hoops that we have to go through to deliver the project, such as consultation exercises, and leveraging the necessary finance.”

If approved, the outcome of the Monifieth options appraisal will be brought to the children and learning committee and special council as soon as possible.

A previous school consultation was slammed by Angus residents when officials suggested the creation of a new school in Birkhill was not worth consulting on.

At the time, Monifieth and Sidlaw SNP councillor Sheila Hands said: “Parents in the area are sensible, rational individuals and they realise the school can only be built if it involves partnership from Dundee or Perth and Kinross Council.” Mrs Hands said a joint Sidlaw campus was one of the strong views conveyed during a rural charrette.

jmillar@thecourier.co.uk