Skye schools review
At the heart of the consultation is the idea to build a new primary school at Dunvegan to replace the existing primary schools at Dunvegan, Edinbane, Knockbreck and Struan.
The survey can be accessed from the home page of The Highland Council’s web site. Paper copies are also available in the four schools. It will remain open for the school term, ending when pupils begin their Easter holidays.
Along with the feedback given in meetings and at workshops, the survey responses will help to shape the list of reasonable and viable options which will then be carefully examined and compared in a final process to identify a preferred option which will be presented to the Council for its consideration.
Once a preferred option is chosen, it will go through a lengthy and detailed statutory consultative process.
Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of the Adult and Children’s Services Committee, said: “The Highland Council is committed to young people in the Highlands having educational opportunities of the highest standard now and for the future. With that in mind we are reviewing our schools provision and are prepared to invest in changes if they will bring about educational benefits. I hope parents and interested individuals and groups engage in this survey to help shape future provision in North West Skye.”
The survey is the latest activity taking place on Skye in recent months as part of the Council’s Sustainable School Estate Review (SSER) of the Portree High School Associated Schools Group (ASG). The SSER is seeking to deliver long-term sustainable educational benefits across the Highlands by improving the quality and configuration of schools in the area.
The SSER studies on Skye and elsewhere in the Highlands are being carried out by the Council in partnership with Caledonian Economics Ltd. Martin Finnigan and Frank Newall of Caledonian Economics have completed an initial round of familiarisation visits to the schools, met with the Head Teachers, and briefed local Councillors along with representatives of Parent Councils and Community Councils on the process.
A number of ideas have been shared publicly and Council officers are arranging to meet Parent Councils and community representatives in the coming weeks to discuss the expected educational benefits of these, and to hear the views of communities.
Councillor Christie added: “This study is not a statutory consultation on school closures and no direction has been given, or decision taken, to consider any of the Portree ASG schools for such consultation. The study is an exploratory exercise designed to share ideas in a public forum and to weigh up their pros and cons. This survey is an important part of the review.”
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