Parents’ anger is clear over catchment move

John Swinney attended meeting to hear concerns following proposals to redraw Harris Academy line

Invergowrie parents voiced their frustration over plans to force their children into a 40-mile round trip for school at a meeting hosted by Education Minister John Swinney last night.

Joined by Councillor Beth Pover, Mr Swinney called the meeting in light of Dundee councillors moving plans to redraw the Harris Academy catchment – thereby freezing out Invergowrie – to the consultation phase.

Pupils affected would be forced to commute to Perth if the plans go ahead.

Among the topics raised were health implications, an increased carbon footprint, an extended school day and friends and siblings being separated.

Mr Swinney opened the meeting by making clear he was there in his capacity as MSP for Perthshire North and not as secretary for education.

He then outlined three alternatives he would like to be considered: finding a way to increase capacity at Baldragon Academy, redrawing boundary lines within Dundee city, and reopening talks for a new school in the Western Gateway area.

He mooted an idea for a “bi-school” between Dundee City Council and Perth

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The purpose of this event was to hear the voices of parents and they made them heard loudly, clearly and very well. JOHN SWINNEY

and Kinross Council at the development after plans for a tri-school fell through when Angus Council pulled out.

Several parents raised the point that 20% of Harris pupils are already from outwith the school’s area thanks to catchment requests.

One parent who works in Perth said she has to drive 45 minutes “on a good day” at the start and end of each shift.

She added: “I wouldn’t want that impacted on my children. After a full day at school it is asking a lot.”

Other parents fear the practicalities of getting children home in the middle of the day in the event of school being closed, such as due to bad snow.

One said: “We will be asked to drive in dangerous conditions.”

Another parent said: “Dundee City Council have a huge plan of low emissions and electric cars but they are expecting our kids to travel a 40-mile round trip. It is contradictory.”

Others lamented that an “imaginary line on a map” was dictating the situation, to which Mr Swinney said proximity should play a greater role.

When asked how he would feel if his children were faced with the same predicament, Mr Swinney said: “I would be completely hostile to this proposal because of all the points you have raised.

“I represent some of the most rural parts of the country and those children don’t have to spend as much time on the bus as what your kids will have to face.”

After the meeting, Mr Swinney said: “The purpose of this event was to hear the voices of parents and they made them heard loudly, clearly and very well.

“I am going to raise these issues with the council and look forward to a constructive conversation.”

John Swinney reiterated he was at the meeting as MSP for Perthshire North, not education secretary, and said he had taken the comments on board. Picture: Steve Macdougall.