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BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Parents accuse council of failing Highland primary school
Parents have accused Highland Council of failing their primary school after inspectors raised significant concerns about how it was Scotland said there were "major weaknesses" in the leadership of Newtonmore also found recruitment issues meant a council official was in the role of acting headteacher and there were no other senior school's parent council said it was "deeply saddened" by the report, and said it had been raising concerns with Highland Council for the past two years. Since the inspection in March the local authority said the school had received additional support from senior education officers. Newtonmore Primary School, which has 107 pupils, provides English and Gaelic medium education (GME).Education Scotland said the school had experienced several changes at senior level after the headteacher and principal teacher left the school in June last described learning, teaching and assessment as "weak".They said lessons did not take into account the needs of individual children, and the pace of learning was too school's work around wellbeing, equality and inclusion, and its ability to raise attainment, were described as "unsatisfactory".Inspectors said it had experienced challenges staffing GME classes, and this had a negative impact on older children's fluency in speaking the Primary School Parent Council said the inspection showed Highland Council's polices and resources to deliver quality education in the community had been ineffective.A spokesperson said: "The inspection results are shocking, and we are angered by the extent to which the children of Newtonmore have been failed. "The areas identified for improvement validate concerns that parents have repeatedly raised, both individually and collectively, with the Highland Council and local representatives over the past two years. "The educational attainment of our children is being jeopardised, and on the current trajectory, many risk failing to reach their full potential." 'Quality environments' Highland Council has been asked for a response to the parents' on the inspection report, the local authority said: "Highland Council is committed to providing quality learning environments, experiences and interactions for our pupils."The authority and the school are aware of the needs of all their children and take their health, safety and welfare extremely seriously. "Improvements at the school in line with the Education Scotland timeframes will continue to be implemented, with improvements already underway."The local authority said challenges around recruiting Gaelic staff were being addressed.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Falkirk village school marks end of an era as pupils gather ahead of closure
Blackness Primary School will close for the last time at the end of term, and parents and pupils gathered to say a final farewell. There were tears and smiles in equal measure at a special afternoon to mark the end of an era for the village of Blackness, near Falkirk. Blackness Primary School, which has just 15 pupils, will close for the final time at the end of term and on Friday they invited parents, members of the community and former pupils to join them for the final event. To start the event, a piper led the pupils into the back playground where around 150 people had gathered to say goodbye to the school, which has been at the heart of Blackness since it opened in 1904. The pupils had rehearsed special songs for the occasion with Youth Music Initiative teacher, Cameron Nisbet, who accompanied them on guitar. They also shared their pride in the local area - with its castle, beaches and history - and their memories of their small school. After their performance, principal teacher Paul Burnett said: "I'm just really proud of the children and their efforts today - it was a great way to finish up their time at Blackness. "They practiced and prepared for weeks beforehand and it was nice to see them do so well on the day." Mr Burnett and support for learning assistant, Mrs Fulton, were presented with gifts by the Parent Council, as was former headteacher Heather Cullen, who will have the honour of crowning the Queen at this year's Bo'ness Fair. Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day went to the woman that everyone knows affectionately as "Auntie Cathie". A dinner lady at the school for 34 years, Cathie Bugg is still its "biggest supporter". "I loved every minute of working here!" she said. "It was a fantastic school - it's sad to see this. It's been very emotional, especially when the kids were singing that last song!" While the afternoon celebrated the little school with a big personality there was sadness at Falkirk Council's decision to close it. "We're devastated - it's a loss to the community," said Gregor Campbell, whose son even wrote a letter to King Charles asking him to save the school. But there were also lots of smiles as former pupils came along to remember the best days of their lives and catch up with old friends. Evelyn Henderson, who attended from 1964-1971, couldn't resist coming along to see her old primary, one last time. "I have so many happy memories - happy days and a happy community," she said. While members of the Parent Council served tea in the little community hall that doubles as the school's dining hall, another classroom held an exhibition crammed with photographs, articles and memorabilia, including old registers from over the years. Among those eagerly scanning the displays was Sheila Manson, whose father, Curly Robertson, attended in the 1930s and daughter Dyan in the 1980s, while Sheila herself was a pupil in the 1960s. Sheila, who still lives in the village, said: "It's just so said that the school is going. There are so many memories for everyone. "I loved the school - it was just like a big family, everyone knew one another." The oldest former pupil there was 88-year-old Bunty Kidd, whose classmates will remember as Bunty Dunleavie. She is still friends with former neighbour Margaret Forbes (Hannah), who also lived in the smallholdings close to the school. Margaret remembers: "I could hear the bell ring and still get to school on time!" They were delighted to meet up with 81-year-old Eric Oswald - who also lived in the smallholdings - to swap happy memories.
