Issue - meetings

Motion by Councillor Louise Young – St Margaret’s Primary School – Catchment Review

“Committee notes that:

·         St Margaret’s Primary School in South Queensferry is within the catchment for St Augustine’s Secondary School in the city centre. However, due to the distance and travel time (which during morning traffic can take 35-40mins each way), most P7 pupils go on to attend the local Queensferry High School instead of the denominational school.

·         Sinclair Academy denominational school in Winchburgh, West Lothian, is significantly closer and would mean a round trip for parents of approx. 30mins and would give pupils more time to engage in extra-curricular activities, homework, or time with family.

·         Edinburgh Council was approached by West Lothian Council during construction of Sinclair Academy, regarding the option to include West of Edinburgh in their catchment but this was not progressed.

·         While non-catchment requests are considered by West Lothian, this offers no guarantee to St Margaret’s families and with the ongoing housing development in West Lothian, it may become more difficult to secure a place. This is of particular concern for families with more than one child if there is no guaranteed place for a sibling.

·         Following representations to ward councillors and a meeting with council officers, it was agreed to carry out a survey of parents to determine preference for secondary school catchment. 80% of parents responded covering 82% of the pupils. The results of this survey show that over a third of parents wish their child to go on to a denominational secondary school, and another third are as yet undecided. 100% of these two categories of families wish to pursue a catchment change to Sinclair Academy.

 Committee therefore agrees:

·         That there is a clear indication from the parent body of St Margaret’s that they wish to explore a change of secondary school catchment.

·         To instruct officers to enter into formal discussion with West Lothian Council on the option to realign the catchment and ascertain whether they are willing to accommodate this change.

·         To ask officers to keep the Parent Council and ward councillors updated on these discussions and whether re-alignment can progress.

To bring a report to the Education, Children and Families Committee in November on the outcome of discussion with West Lothian Council and if agreeable, setting out the next steps for the formal catchment consultation process.”

Motion by Councillor Louise Young – St Margarets’ Primary School – Catchment Review

“Committee notes that:

·         St Margaret’s Primary School in South Queensferry is within the catchment for St Augustine’s Secondary School in the city centre. However, due to the distance and travel time (which during morning traffic can take 35-40mins each way), most P7 pupils go on to attend the local Queensferry High School instead of the denominational school.

·         Sinclair Academy denominational school in Winchburgh, West Lothian, is significantly closer and would mean a round trip for parents of approx. 30mins and would give pupils more time to engage in extra-curricular activities, homework, or time with family.

·         Edinburgh Council was approached by West Lothian Council during construction of Sinclair Academy, regarding the option to include West of Edinburgh in their catchment but this was not progressed.

·         While non-catchment requests are considered by West Lothian, this offers no guarantee to St Margaret’s families and with the ongoing housing development in West Lothian, it may become more difficult to secure a place. This is of particular concern for families with more than one child if there is no guaranteed place for a sibling.

·         Following representations to ward councillors and a meeting with council officers, it was agreed to carry out a survey of parents to determine preference for secondary school catchment. 80% of parents responded covering 82% of the pupils. The results of this survey show that over a third of parents wish their child to go on to a denominational secondary school, and another third are as yet undecided. 100% of these two categories of families wish to pursue a catchment change to Sinclair Academy.

 Committee therefore agrees:

·         That there is a clear indication from the parent body of St Margaret’s that they wish to explore a change of secondary school catchment.

·         To instruct officers to enter into formal discussion with West Lothian Council on the option to realign the catchment and ascertain whether they are willing to accommodate this change.

·         To ask officers to keep the Parent Council and ward councillors updated on these discussions and whether re-alignment can progress.

To bring a report to the Education, Children and Families Committee in November on the outcome of discussion with West Lothian Council and if agreeable, setting out the next steps for the formal catchment consultation process.”