MSP welcomes quick answer to question of clarity on schools plan

Angus Council has responded to a local politician who sought clarification on what “councilspeak” might actually mean for a string of local primary schools.

Controversial proposals by authority education chiefs, which would see a number of rural schools in Angus subject to “grouping” considerations post-2019, have attracted fierce criticism from parents and education campaigners.

The Angus Schools for the Future programme would see Northmuir, Newbigging, Monikie, Murroes, Friockheim and Inverkeilor primary schools subject to “grouping”, prompting Angus South SNP MSP Graeme Dey to quiz the council on exactly what that meant.

The authority said: “When we use the term grouping we mean we will look at the implications of any proposal on neighbouring schools.

“This approach will allow us to address all issues within each project to ensure long-term solutions.

“Our intention is to deal with each school once and address as many issues as possible. The impact on neighbouring schools will not necessarily mean merging.

“It could mean, for example, that catchments could be reviewed, or that there could be no impact on a neighbouring school.”

Mr Dey said he was grateful for the council’s prompt response.

However, he said parents would still have concerns and it was vital that rural education continued to thrive in the county.

“Inevitably I suspect that (the response) will raise or heighten fears of possible closures and mergers,” he warned.

Mr Dey continued: “I am pleased to learn more about the intended approach to the process and that mergers will not necessarily be the end game. I understand entirely that the council is examining its expenditure on education and that the quality of the facilities in which provision takes place also requires looking at.

“But it is imperative that at the end of this process we still have a significant rural education footprint and one that is fit for future needs.”