Unanimous call to save Luing Primary School

Luing has sent out a unanimous call to save its mothballed school.

A drop-in session organised by Argyll and Bute Council to give islanders a say on the school’s future attracted a strong turnout.

The busy session at the Atlantic Islands Centre last week saw a steady flow of people during the day and a mass turnout in the evening.

Colin Buchanan, from Luing Community Trust, said: ‘It was a good, strong turnout, all passionately in favour of keeping the school mothballed. We are now looking forward to our elected members of the council coming to Luing so we can give them our views. We hope they will listen and add pressure where it might be needed.’

Cullipool resident Alasdair Fleming said at the pre-consultation session: ‘The views are unanimous. There’s no evidence here that anyone wants to see it close.’

Linda Leggett, who was involved in saving the school 10 years ago and whose children went there, said transporting pupils off island for education was key to keeping it open last time and could be again.

Mum-of-two Alison Young wants to have the option of sending her three-year-old daughter to school on Luing.

She said: ‘I think the number of children on Luing will go up and I want to have the option of the school opening again.’

Luing Community Council will now be inviting the island’s four councillors to a meeting and has requested a copy of the report that will be produced from the pre-consultation event and presented to members of the community services committee.

The community services committee meeting has been postponed from June to August. The options its members will decide on are whether to keep the school mothballed, reopen it or close it.

Councillor Kieron Green said: ‘I absolutely recognise the importance of primary schools to islands and I would be heartened to hear there was sufficient evidence to retain the school for resumption of use. People have been telling me there’s more children on the island and I hope that provides the evidence to keep it mothballed so it can eventually be reopened.’

And Councillor Julie McKenzie said: ‘Luing Primary School plays a vital role in retaining and attracting young families to Luing, to sustain and improve a fragile island economy.

‘Whilst the official figures show the school roll as zero, there are currently young children living on Luing having to travel off island to access education.

‘Islanders are telling me they wish to see their primary school reopened and flourishing, and I will do all that I can in supporting them to see this happen.’

Councillor Andrew Vennard said: ‘I think that it is important to acknowledge the importance of the school to the community of the Isle of Luing and to consider the ways the school building can be used for the benefit of the community.’

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: ‘We value the views and opinions of our communities, so it was extremely encouraging to see such a large turnout at our drop-in session last week to discuss the future of Luing Primary School.

‘The meeting was very constructive and the feedback received will now be included in an options appraisal that will be considered by council’s community services committee on August 25.’

Anyone still wanting to have their say on the future of the school has until Monday June 13 by emailing Sandra. clarke2@argyll-bute.gov.uk.

‘I think the number of children on Luing will go up and I want to have the option of the school opening again.’