Twins on song in bid to save their school

Jan 25 2013 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Singing twins have launched a bid to save their school from closure.

John and Garry Savage are making a desperate plea to education chiefs who want to close tiny St John’s Primary.

And the determined duo have even written to Prince Charles in search of last minute support for their cause.

The big-hearted brothers are among 31 pupils who attend the closure-threatened Cumnock school.

Bosses at East Ayrshire Council are proposing that St John’s pupils make the move to St Patrick’s Primary in Auchinleck.

But the issue has angered some parents, with a campaign under way to save St John’s.

And the Save Our School track from John and Garry has now hit YouTube, with hits from as far afield as Australia.

Mum Roseanne said: “A lot of us have been campaigning against the closure, because we don’t feel the council has explored all of the available options.

“I was very touched when my eight-year-old boys decided they wanted to do something about it, so we made a very amateur video on YouTube.

“They wrote a quick chorus to a song and 15 minutes later we were recording it.

“It just shows how much they care.”

Council chiefs insist their proposal, which is out for public consultation, is based on the “largest educational benefits” to children.

They also point to problems arising from St John’s being under-populated.

In the consultation document handed to parents, council bosses argue that a move to St Patrick’s will lead to “a more varied and richer educational environment” for both groups of pupils.

Should the council adopt their recommended option, St John’s would close on Friday, June 28.

Graham Short, education boss at East Ayrshire Council, insists the authority has done “more than is required by law” during its consultation.

And he says everyone has had a chance to contribute during the process.

He added: “Recent public meetings at St John’s and St Patrick’s Primary Schools - one overrunning to 10.30pm to allow folk to have their say - were well attended by parents, staff and members of the community.

“Participants made good use of the opportunity to comment and ask questions.

“All submissions will be available for elected member scrutiny.

“In addition, there is a council call-in process and a statutory national call-in process.”

The consultation ends this Friday. To take part, email education.consultation@east-ayrshire.gov.uk