Public given a say on catchments

Sweeping changes to the Dundee school estate are being put to public consultation.

Locals are being urged to comment on the proposals, which affect a number of school catchment areas.

One of the changes being considered by the city council’s children and families services committee involves redrawing the boundary line for Harris Academy, cutting Invergowrie out of its catchment area.

Another entails closing Braeview Academy and Craigie High School and opening a replacement school in Drumgeith Road. A catchment area change would see Craigie High pupils living south of Arbroath Road transferred to Grove Academy as opposed to going to the new school.

Invergowrie parents voiced their frustrations at the plans to freeze out their children from Harris Academy at a meeting held by Education Minister John Swinney last week.

They expressed concerns over the health and safety implications for pupils of having to make a 40-mile round trip to school in Perth, among other topics.

Mr Swinney made it clear at the meeting he was acting as MSP for Invergowrie and not as education minister.

He urged residents to contribute to the consultation.

Feedback on the plans can be submitted online by email to children.families@dundeecity.gov.uk or by post to Paul Clancy at Dudhope Castle, Barrack Road, DD3 6HF.