Education manager's letter sparks fears over future of Brora nursery class
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The cash-strapped Highland Council could close the nursery class at Brora Primary School to save money, it is feared.
Education manager Ian Jackson sent a letter to parents and guardians of children in the nursery this week, sparking concern about its future.
He wrote that the local authority is considering the future of the school nursery class because a private nursery, Sutherland Stepping Stones, is located on the same site.
A meeting to discuss the situation will be held in Brora Primary School’s assembly hall next Tuesday, February 13, at which Mr Jackson will be joined by area education manager Annika Jansson and early years officer Caroline Green.
Mr Jackson said in the letter: “In case anyone is concerned, I can assure parents that at this stage we are not making any formal proposal to permanently close the nursery.
“In any case, the closure of a school nursery is subject to an extensive statutory consultation process which includes written notification to all parents, all staff and all pupils of the affected school as well as other stakeholders.
“We are a long way away from even putting such a proposal out for formal consultation, which would have to be approved in advance by members of Highland Council’s education committee. We have not approached the committee members to seek such approval.
“The meeting next week is no more than an informal discussion.”
Parents took to social media to voice their concerns, saying that there would be “many negative impacts on the community if the nursery were to close”.
One wrote: “This is a vital service which is a crucial part of a child’s education.”
Another wrote that the closure of the nursery would affect families not only in Brora but in the wider East Sutherland area as parents of three to four year olds would be looking to Stepping Stones for funded places, meaning it would have less capacity for babies and toddlers.
She wrote: “We cannot let the nursery close. We need the places at Stepping Stones for children of all ages, to let parents go back to work and keep the economy moving. We need the nursery to educate our children and prepare them for primary school.
“The only way we can fight this is by making our voices heard and making them realise how many of us see the nursery as a very important facility.”
Next Tuesday’s meeting starts at 4pm. If anyone is unable to attend in person, a videolink will be available via Microsoft Teams. A link will be provided to parents by the school.
Parents are also holding a meeting at Brora Community Centre tonight from 7.30pm to discuss what can be done to save the nursery. All are welcome.
