Catholic campus falls apart

Dec 18 2009 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to put Catholic schools on one super campus is already falling apart.

For St Ninian’s Primary is set to be removed from the proposals for Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr.

And parents at St Cuthbert’s Primary in Maybole are bitterly opposed to their children being moved out of town.

There is also disquiet in Mossblown about kids from St Ann’s Primary being taken away from the successful campus they share with Annbank Primary.

South Ayrshire Council’s consultation at St Ninian’s showed overwhelming support for retention of the school in Prestwick.

And as a result, officials will now recommend the status quo to a key meeting of the council’s leadership panel in February.

Aileen Grant, chair of St Ninian’s Parent Council, said this week: “It’s reassuring that our views have been listened to, and we welcome the news that this recommendation will be put forward for consideration.”

Harry Garland, the council’s executive director for children and community, thanked all at St Ninian’s for ‘very constructive feedback’.

He said similar consultations have yet to be completed at St John’s in Ayr, St Ann’s in Mossblown, and St Cuthbert’s in Maybole.

But in Maybole, the message after a parents’ meeting was simple: “We want our kids schooled here.”

Concerns were aired about pupils as young as four travelling by bus five days a week.

And these were echoed in a letter from Councillor Sandra Goldie, who was unable to attend.

St Cuthbert’s parents also believe their children’s day-to-day involvement in Maybole is crucial.

And Homecoming events in Maybole Town Hall have shown the depth of commitment all the schools have to their town.

Mr Garland said: “We are committed to improving the environment that supports learning and teaching for children and young people in our schools. And we will continue to review our school estate to ensure we do just that.”

But St Cuthbert’s parents clearly believe improvements should be done within the town.