Family’s anguish at losing school place

A family new to Dundee has blamed the effects of coronavirus after one of their children was left without a school place.

Peter and Glaucia Spalding moved to Broughty Ferry from Texas at the end of 2020 and had planned for children Michael and Nickole to attend Grove Academy.

They were each given a place at the school in August, but were not able to move to Scotland until just before Christmas because of Covid-19 restrictions.

However, although Michael still has his place, Nickole, 13, has lost hers and is now third on the waiting list.

The family has appealed to Dundee City Council and applied for Nickole to attend Monifieth High School as a back-up, but were told pupils living in the Monifieth catchment area will be prioritised.

Peter said: “We were living in America and decided to come back to the UK.

“We bought a house in Broughty Ferry where I grew up and it was well within the catchment area for Grove Academy, it is only 100 yards from the school.

“In August, we got in touch with the school and my son and daughter each got a place.

“Then Covid-19 kicked in and there was no way we could travel to the UK because we were isolating in America and the school was informed of this.

“As soon as we were able to come across, I was told there was no longer a space for my daughter going into S2 and she is now third on the waiting list for Grove.”

Dundee City Council said parents had the right to appeal, while Angus Council confirmed it would be responding to contact from the family.