Under-the-radar plan for East Sutherland ‘superschool’?
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AN E.MAIL leaked to the Northern Times this week reveals that the company reviewing school provision on behalf of Highland Council (exploring where schools could be closed or amalgamated) is investigating the idea of a single campus, based in Golspie – to include the present Dornoch Academy and Dornoch, Brora and Helmsdale Primary Schools.
Furthermore, it is suggested that the design/site/costings of such a campus should be carried out at the end of this year "under the radar" and put out to public consultation after the local authority elections in May next year.
The Lairg area could also be looked at as a "stand-alone" option.
The e.mail was sent by Martin Finnigan, of the Edinburgh consultancy firm Caledonian Economics, to Ron McKenzie, who has responsibility for the school provision review for Highland Council.
In it, Mr Finnigan, who was looking into Associated Schools Groups (ASGs), says: "Golspie/Dornoch and Alness/Invergordon present opportunities to look at secondary provision, but I expect that this will need design/site/cost work to be done. Therefore I suggest we use the second half of 2011 to carry out this work ‘under the radar’ with a view to public consultation after the May 2012 election."
In an accompanying note on the Golspie ASG, he writes: "Options could be split into two areas – around Lairg and around Golspie. Should consider all-through school in Golspie potentially including Dornoch Academy, Brora and Helmsdale."
However, when contacted by the NT, Mr Finnigan said: "I have been given no instruction to look at Sutherland schools at all."
Readers will remember that in 1994, the Dornoch Academy School Board decided to "opt out" to become Scotland’s first self governing school, despite much opposition from parents with children attending Golspie High School, who believed it would have a detrimental affect on the future of their school.
Dornoch Academy pupils had transferred to Golspie after S2, but the Dornoch School Board were gearing to upgrade to six-year status, meaning those pupils would remain in Dornoch. They achieved six-year status in May 1996.
The 2010/11 school roll at Dornoch was 298 and at Golspie, 306.
One of those involved in the 1990s’ schools’ dispute was Helen Houston of Golspie, who says: "It comes as no surprise that Highland Council is to review education provision in EastSutherland and Easter Ross.
"In 2009 the Scottish Government’s own figures showed that secondary schools in the Highland Council area had the highest under-occupancy rate than any other local authority in Scotland. Four schools had under 50% occupancy and twelve were running at under 75% occupancy.
"These figures will probably have become more pronounced over the last two years. This, coupled with the fact that the Scottish Government states that Highland Council has the highest number of secondary schools in Scotland that are in poor condition, makes the review not unexpected. The growing cost of servicing empty school places is a burden on council taxpayers, especially in the current financial circumstances.
"These circumstances are remarkably similar to those surrounding previous debates on this matter, although at present Tain Royal Academy, Dornoch Academy and Golspie High School have approximately 1750 pupil places for a current combined roll of just over 1000 pupils."
Joan Currie, who was chairman of the Dornoch Academy School Board in 1994, tells us: "The parents and wider community fought hard the last time Dornoch Academy was threatened and I am sure they will do so again, if necessary.
"However the school has a fantastic reputation built up through the hard work
of John Garvie and the staff, which is
demonstrated by the year on year expansion of the roll and the educational strength of the school as fifth in the Highland league table.
"It beggars belief that the Council would consider closing such a successful school – especially as they are currently carrying out major renovations to the building."
East Sutherland and Edderton Highland Councillor Jim McGillivray, Embo, says he cannot see this becoming a reality.
He adds: "The review team have to consider all options so everything is obviously in the pot at this stage – but they could equally suggest merger of Tain, Golspie and Dornoch I suppose and Invergordon and Alness too?
"But there are very obvious local sensitivities which will moderate the final decision. £280,000 has just been spent on new windows for the Academy, the Sports Hall is now a formal HC project, and there have been other improvements to the general fabric of the building. It also fits the modern educational thinking of a self-contained 3-18 campus.
"I detect no great will amongst members to stir up an old hornets’ nest.
"Plus what would HC do with an un-saleable and ultimately degenerating school building situated on the main gateway to a prime tourist destination?"
Golspie Community Council chairman Iain Miller said: "Golspie High School is currently on the up and up, with a positive school inspection report and an enthusiatic head. We would therefore be more than happy to accommodate pupils from Dornoch Academy."
