School repairs after parents protest
Parent power at Callander Primary School has sparked urgent repairs to be carried out on the building and discussions on having it replaced.
The parent council’s AGM saw much of the discussion centred around the state of the school building.
In a social media post to parents the parent council said:“Stirling Council have responded quickly following on from our presentation last month.
“In the autumn as part of the council budget process money may be allocated for further improvements to the school.
“Council officials did say the current building is not particularly well suited to 21st century education. Further discussions around this and a potential new school will take place in February 2019. This will be an ongoing focus for the parent council.”
In April the group said:“The parent council do not believe the school provides a healthy and suitable environment for our children, despite the very best efforts of the local management team.
“We have asked a broad range of individuals to attend the meeting including representatives of Stirling Council. Through recent correspondence, we understand Stirling Council acknowledge there is a‘deterioration of the exterior of Callander Primary School’ and the parent council believe the external condition needs serious attention.
“However, the internal fabric is now also of significant concern, both in terms of suitability for learning and current condition.”
Councillors Evelyn Tweed and Susan McGill, who attended the AGM, agreed that the building at Callander was generally“shabby”with broken roof tiles and slates, blocked and leaking gutters and repairs needed to timber windows.
Councillor Tweed said:“Parents were rightly concerned that day-to-day maintenance issues had not been addressed for an overly long time under the failed administration of the Tories, who officiated over education during the last council administration between 2012-17.
“Since the meeting I have been in contact with council officers to make sure these issues are acted on immediately.”
Children and young people committee convener Councillor McGill said:“The current condition of the school building, and the obvious lack of investment and attention for school maintenance under previous Tory leadership are completely unacceptable.
“The current SNP-led administration is taking action to address the situation through immediate repairs and implementing the upgrades required – work which should have been done but wasn’t under the failed leadership of Tory Councillor Alistair Berrill.”
The Tories said the fabric of the school had marginally improved under their leadership, with the building going from a 71 per cent B rating in 2010 to a 74 per cent B rating in August 2014, when the council identified £141,107 of investment in the building.
Councillor Berrill said:“It is sad the SNP are now seeking to politicise Stirling’s education, which has traditionally been dealt with in a constructive, non-partisan atmosphere, as I am sure all parents, carers, teachers and pupils would expect it to be.
“The facilities plan, prioritising school buildings’condition due to the Scottish Government’s criteria, is reported every two years.
“In 2016 the plan was unanimously agreed, with councillors Alycia Hayes and Graham Lambie for the SNP on the committee.
“In January 2018 it was again unanimously agreed. Strangely enough, neither Councillor McGill, who was chairing the meeting where it was discussed, nor Councillor Tweed, who is on the committee, raised any questions or concerns about Callander Primary School.
“Between 2012 and 2017 Stirling Council built two new primary schools and carried out a major renovation to a third while also carrying out the routine maintenance needed on the school estate.
“Exam results improved steadily and we made significant progress in getting more school leavers into a positive destination.”