Threat to rural schools - have your say!

[Kintyre Forum News]

Not something I know much about but there was a good article in the Courier today about the School estate. So what are your thoughts? Do you think it is time to amalgamate the schools?

Article from the Courier website here

Threat to rural schools

Closures are back on the agenda at Kilmory as council fights to balance books
Published: 15 February, 2008
PARENTS across Argyll and Bute could face yet another round of fights to keep schools in smaller rural communities open.

A lot was riding on the council’s budget meeting yesterday, as The Courier was going to press, and how much money is available for schools

But The Courier has learned from a reliable source within the council headquarters at Kilmory that closures are back on the agenda as the council fights to balance the books for its school buildings.

Serving a remote rural area with more than 20 inhabited islands, Argyll and Bute faces some of the highest costs when it comes to providing services. A School Estates Strategy Seminar was held at Kilmory on last Thursday and amongst the suggestions made by consultants employed by the council was the amalgamation of Southend, Drumlemble, Dalintober and Castlehill on one huge campus added onto the grammar school site and Clachan and Rhunahaorine merging; Skipness would go in with Tarbert.

Yet Southend Primary School has just been refurbished with a £¾m extension added; Castlehill has had new windows and kitchens and Drumblemble has just had new windows and external roughcasting and renovations inside.

All copies of the consultants’ report to the meeting were collected in afterwards. A council spokeswoman confirmed the meeting took place but not what discussed: ‘A seminar was held in Kilmory to discuss the future of the school estate. This was open to councillors, head teachers, trade union representatives etc.

‘The bottom line is that the council’s position has not changed and we will be having further discussions about the future of the school estate across Argyll and Bute.’

No none would deny that the lack of capital funding for schools estate is a major problem.

Campbeltown Grammar School is also in need of major renovation; money to replace windows there has had to be diverted to repair recent storm damage when a wall in the technical department collapsed.

Councillor Donald Kelly was involved in the fight to save Drumlemble Primary School on the last two occasions it was facing closure. He said: ‘I still haven’t seen the various options being proposed but I will definitely be against closing vibrant and healthy rural schools.’

[/url]

[general jack o'niell]

not again!!!!!

save drumlemmlleeee, how many times is this?

locals saw off the last head of education, they'll do it again

[John S]

This article in "the courier" is pure mischief making - which for the courier is rather refreshing

The SNP / Independent coalition on the council just allocated an additional £17 m towards the school estate, hopefully with this we can address some of the serious problems inherited from the previous administration, such as the state of the Grammar and the nursery.

Yes our school estate needs to be constantly examined - Education is the biggest single draw on the taxpayers purse - your purse. But lets be intelligent about it - shutting rural schools is mad. The biggest single attraction in the major cities for upwardly mobile parents with young families is this –

Good schools with small classes, which achieve above average results.

We have these in abundance and should be using this as a selling point to attract families into the area to fill schools with low numbers - these schools are a gold mine we shouldn’t stand by and see that opportunity squandered. I am more interested in schools in the town and would like to know what the forum thought about an amalgamated Campbeltown primary ?
[/u]

[Pete Reek]

Quote: I am more interested in schools in the town-----------

I don't expect an answer, other than "taken out of concept"of course, as I haven't given my name, phone number, address and full post code.

However, if you are perhaps in a benevolent mood you might consider telling me if you were elected to only be interested in the "town" and your statement was a mere slip of the digits used to type it. I have until now thought the entire area was to benefit from our three members, and that there were no restrictions such as ward boundaries to thwart their best efforts in achieving this.

My breath isn't bated,so if you you don't get back to me, there's no health risk on my part

[spangles]

Good schools with small classes, which achieve above average results.

AH what a cunning plan. You are going to build lots of small country schools so that all Kintyre children can all achieve above average results to prove the theory. Just joshing JS. Are you saying that if the budget was available Castlhill and Dalintober would be extended to make more classrooms and teachers

would like to know what the forum thought about an amalgamated Campbeltown primary ?
[/u]

Not sure what to think of it really but I have always thought that my taxes should be utilised a bit better regarding amalgameting schools. A small school like Drumlemble so close to a larger primary is not good budgeting and no matter the failure or success of it these weans should be in town schools.

I have heard the argument about taking it away from the village. It's already away from the village, half way along the Machrihanish straight, minutes from the town schools and I don't remember any of this hoo hah when the school in the village was closed.

Just my opinion as asked for and like everyone esle's on here not to say it's right but I think it's common sense and the way to go.

S

[John S]

Quote: I am more interested in schools in the town-----------

However, if you are perhaps in a benevolent mood you might consider telling me if you were elected to only be interested in the "town"

Course not, only in the opinion of people served by town schools on this occasion, but if you want to split up every sentence I write and analyse it out of context your welcome, feel free.

[amron]

There was none of "Save Peninver School" when it shut and all children were put into Dalintober Primary,
Being one that this affected I would rather have went to Dalintober from the start.....

[Sweltered]

There was none of "Save Peninver School" when it shut and all children were put into Dalintober Primary,
Being one that this affected I would rather have went to Dalintober from the start.....

I remember well, when all these strange folk appeared amongst us

I have to agree with the small class size being better, but there was a very good point made about increasing the number of classes and teachers in Dalintober and the other primary school It would be much better to close Drumlemble and St Kierans and redirect the resources to the other town schools and lower the class sizes there.

[Jock Strap]

I am more interested in schools in the town and would like to know what the forum thought about an amalgamated Campbeltown primary ?

When, where?

Campbeltown has a population of 5000 and three primary schools - perhaps two too many? Certainly one too many as there is no need for St Kierans. (no religious issues btw)

Grammar school is very poor in terms of location and facilities.

Where does it all start?

[John S]

Where does it all start?

I think it needs to start with a general idea of what kind provision for schools we want to see in the next 4 - 8 years, to last the next 50+ years.

I'm not sure what shape this should be which is why I'm interested in the views and opinions round the forum.

Are there any sacred cows, which cannot be changed?
Is a refurbishment of the Grammar enough?
Should we look to replace existing primary schools or upgrade the existing buildings?
How long can the nursery go on in its present condition?

These are just some of the questions, which spring to mind.

What I am sure off is that if the community is significantly divided on what it wants, the likelihood is what we will achieve little, however if we are united on how to progress the case will be more easily made.

[howlsatthemoon]

I personally would support a single primary school for the town.

The current buildings are not fit for the requirements of modern day education.

[Ileach B]

Was there not something in the past about a joint campus in Campbeltown, much like Lochgilphead but the parents voted no?

I would support joint primarys, but maybe not so keen about the grammar.

[John S]

Was there not something in the past about a joint campus in Campbeltown, much like Lochgilphead but the parents voted no?

I would support joint primarys, but maybe not so keen about the grammar.

From what I remember of the joint campus issue it seemed to me that there was opposition to a joint campus including primary and secondary, as in Lochgilphead. But more support for a joint primary (which was not on offer).

The options at that time were take it or leave it.

[Ship called Dignity]

The options at that time were take it or leave it.

And a shocking option for the Council to impose on any community...

[bakbjerg]

Close Drumlemble, and we're out of here