PARENTS at the first four city primary schools to be threatened with closure are set to join forces to campaign against the axe.
The Evening News learned this week that Victoria, Lismore, Bonnington and Westburn primaries have been made "high priority" by the cross-party team drawing up the new school-closure list.
Council bosses insist that no final decision has been made,
but parents are preparing for the worst ahead of the announcement, expected in June. Victoria Primary in Newhaven is holding a meeting for parents on Wednesday, while Lismore parents have asked to meet with city education leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren. Both plan to work together to draw up an action plan for the fight ahead, and hope to get the other two schools on board.
It is understood the four meet all the criteria for potential closure – including poor attainment, falling rolls and high running costs. Last September, the council ditched a plan to close 22 schools and four community centres.
Susan Edwards, chair of Victoria's parent council, said she was disappointed that the school is facing closure for a second time.
She said: "I organised the meeting because I wanted to get the parents together. The last time I felt what we didn't do as a parent council was communicate with the parents. It looks likely that we are going to be targeted so we want to get ideas together because if we can prepare early, the stronger we'll be.
"It beggars belief that the council have been so inadequate in their budgeting and it's the kids that suffer."
The parent council hopes to prove that the Western Harbour development means there will be a growing need for the school.
Ms Edwards – whose children Cameron and Rowena are at the school – added: "This school has received an excellent HMIE inspection last year. It is positioned directly across from the new development at Western Harbour which will bring families into the area.
"It seems very short sighted to consider closing a good school so near an area of expansion."
Parents at Lismore met yesterday to discuss the closure threat.
Gail Ross, secretary of Lismore Parents Action Group – which has successfully campaigned against two previous closure threats – also plans to ask for a deputation at the education committee.
She said: "This is going to be the hardest fight so far. We have to stand united. We will have to organise petitions and marches because this is not going to go away."
It was revealed last month that secondary schools in Edinburgh have been given a three-year reprieve from possible closure.
Gillian Tee, city director of education, said: "I am absolutely clear that the forum, set up to review the school estate, is not ready to recommend any school for closure or amalgamation at this stage."
•
www.edinburgh.gov.ukThe full article contains 483 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
