East Dunbartonshire's consultation on changes to its schools admission policy and transfer arrangements of pupils from primary to secondary schools has been extended.
The consultation opened on Monday 28 October and had been set to close on Friday 6 December but has been extended until Friday 10 January 2020.
There has been a large volume of responses to date and a number of key issues have been raised:
- The need to review the application of distance criteria and to include the consideration of the length of time in attendance at the primary school as a separate criteria
- The need to take into account local primary schools, where the associated secondary school is not within five miles
- The number of places allocated within the Education Specialist Provision.
An additional two public meetings have been arranged and will be held on:
- Tuesday 3 December at 6.30pm in St Ninian’s High School, Bellfield Road, Kirkintilloch, G66 1DT
- Thursday 5 December at 6.30pm in Bearsden Academy, St. Andrew's Way, Bearsden, G61 3AX.
These meetings will allow stakeholders to consider, with officers, the emerging issues and the additional information provided under the Frequently Asked Questions on the Consultation page of the Council Website: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/school-admission-faqs
Councillor Jim Goodall, Convener of the Council's Education Committee said, "I would like to thank everyone who has come to the public meetings and taken part in the consultation. We take everyone's views seriously and are committed to carrying out a meaningful consultation to deal with this very important issue.
"I hope the extended timescale and the additional public meetings will afford everyone the opportunity to have their say."
The Council is currently in discussion with Education Scotland to agree the revised timetable. A report will then be prepared taking full account of the consultation responses.
The Council, as Education Authority, is required to publish the report three weeks prior to it being submitted to Council for a final decision. The report, which will set out the final proposals, will be available on the Council’s website (www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk).
An interim report will be submitted to the Special Council meeting due to take place on Thursday 19 December. It will detail the progress of the consultation to date, the key issues which have emerged from the consultation so far, an indication of any proposed revisions and the extended consultation timeline.
Councillor Goodall added, "Responses to the consultation proposal can be made up until 10 January using the online form. I would encourage people to read the web page and the FAQS then make their contribution."
The consultation page is here:
- https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/school-admission-and-transfer-arrangements-primary-secondary-school
If you would like a paper copy of the consultation or have any questions please use the following contact details:
- Email education.consultation@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
- Phone 0300 1234 510
- Post: School Improvement Team, Southbank Marina, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ.
Follow us on Twitter @EDCouncil or like us on Facebook