73% of Survey Respondents Oppose Closure

Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has called on Glasgow City Council to engage with parent groups and the wider community to explore alternatives to the closure of Stonedyke Primary School. Mr Kidd’s call comes as he publishes the results of a survey of those that reside in the catchment area of the school. The results showed that 73% of respondents opposed the Council’s proposals for closure.

Glasgow City Council has proposed closing Stonedyke Primary School and transferring pupils either to Langfaulds or Camstradden Primary Schools. Responses to Mr Kidd’s survey showed that local residents feared the loss of the community facility; were concerned that the alternative schools were too far away for the adequate transport to be provided and also raised concerns about the social implications of children changing schools.

In his submission to Glasgow City Council’s consultation on the proposed closure, Bill Kidd MSP said: “The survey shows that local residents have a strong opposition to the current proposal, regardless of whether or not they have had children at the school. They have expressed a variety of concerns about the proposals and also how important the school is to the community.

“…the Council should explore other options for Stonedyke that would keep the school open. While declining school roles are a concern, the council should investigate whether families are sending their children outside the Drumchapel area to other schools. If this is in fact the case, the council should be focussing on why parents may wish to send their children to schools other than Stonedyke primary, despite residing in the catchment area. Accordingly, the council may wish to consider investing in upgrading the school.

“Irrespective, an opportunity exists for the council to consider options that do not appear in its present consultation document. Engaging with relevant communities and genuinely responding to concerns and alternative ideas is the best way to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of pupils and the education they receive.

Commenting, Bill Kidd MSP added: “It is clear from my survey and the parents I have spoken to that Stonedyke Primary School is a highly regarded school and the Council should not close it on a whim or as a short-term money-saving exercise.

“The Council has a responsibility to engage meaningfully with parents and the local community.

"The closure of schools across Glasgow flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s commitment to reducing class-sizes. Pupils in other local authorities, across Scotland, are already benefiting from extra time with their teacher helping to improve attainment, performance and pupil behaviour. It remains disappointing that Glasgow City Council continues to patently fail to recognise this.

“Glasgow City Council has an opportunity to save Stonedyke Primary School and invest in our children’s futures. This is an opportunity that they can not miss.”