Carsphairn Primary School Receives Temporary Reprieve

Following the recent consultation for closure of Carsphairn Primary, Dumfries & Galloway Council's Learning and Education Directorate is recommending that the Education Committee vote on 28 March to continue the current mothballed status for up to two years.

Carsphairn Community Council (CCC) question the period of two years which appears not to follow the relevant clauses of the Education Act 2010.

Although CCC are cautiously pleased that a case could not be made to close the school at this ime, mothballing rather than reopening the school means that children who wish to learn at their local school will continue to be forced to travel to Dalry.

This means a potential journey of 20 miles to Dalry and back in all weathers, if resident in the Upper Deugh valley, where it is currently likely a primary school child will settle in the near future.

Liz Holmes, chair of CCC, said: "We are glad that firstly the schools inspector who assessed the closure report felt that the case for closure had not been adequately made, and secondly that the the Learning and Education Directorate seem to have recognised that Carsphairn's affordable housing project, led by the South of Scotland Community Housing group and aimed at regeneration of Carsphairn community, should bring young families with children to settle in Carsphairn.

"These children will have the undeniable right to be educated in their local school in their local community [not one at least ten miles away]."

CCC would like to thank all the residents, parents, and pupils who took the time to respond to the consultation, and who demonstrated overwhelming support to re-open the school. They would like to remind Carsphairn-based families who are completing forms to enrol their children in school/ nursery to place Carsphairn School as their first choice on the form, despite its current mothballed status, as this clearly shows the desire for the school to re-open. Liz continued: "CCC will continue working with the community and D&G Council to try and save the school, encourage more young families to move to Carsphairn and help us to ensure the long term sustainability of our community."