This report reviews the links between education and the sustainability of rural communities. The review focuses on opportunities and challenges for educational provision in the Glenkens, a dynamic and engaged rural community in Dumfries and Galloway (D&G).

Fiona Smith and Sarah Ade, representatives of the Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group, and Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager, met Gillian Brydson, Director of Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing and Ingrid Gemmell, Stewartry Ward Officer, on Tuesday 8th October 2024.

The Education and Learning event held in the Glenkens in July 2024 catalysed a very useful meeting between the CAP Steering Group and Dr Gillian Brydson, Director of the Dumfries and Galloway Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing deptartment.

The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) hosted an Education and Learning event in the Glenkens on 11th July 2024, on behalf of the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan Steering Group. The event was designed to inform and inspire, in response to the changing nature of education provision in remote-rural Glenkens.

This paper from the Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAP SG), owners of the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, sets out a clear rationale for a delay to the decision to mothball the Dalry Secondary School to allow the wider impact on the community to be assessed and appropriate mitigating actions put in place.