Consultation proposal by North Lanarkshire Council
Report by Education Scotland, addressing educational aspects of the proposal
to cease educational provision at Calder Primary School and Nursery Class at
the end of session 2012/13 and rezone children to Glencairn Primary and Muir
Street Primary Schools, with nursery children being relocated to provision in
establishments within the Motherwell area.
1.
Introduction
1.1
North Lanarkshire Council proposes to:

discontinue educational provision at Calder Primary School and Nursery
Class at the end of session 2012/2013;

rezone the catchment areas of Muir Street and Glencairn Primary schools to
incorporate the existing catchment area of Calder Primary School; and

relocate the Nursery Class provision in establishments within the Motherwell
area.
1.2
The report from Education Scotland is required under the terms of the
Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. It has been prepared by HM Inspectors
in accordance with the terms of the Act.
1.3
HM Inspectors undertook the following activities in considering the
educational aspects of the proposal:

attendance at the public meeting held on 24 October 2012 in connection with
the council’s proposals;

consideration of all relevant documentation provided by the council in relation
to the proposal, specifically the educational benefits statement and related
consultation documents, written and oral submissions from parents and
others;

consideration of further representations made directly to Education Scotland
on relevant educational aspects of the proposal;

consideration of further information on all schools affected; and

visits to the site of Calder Primary School and Nursery Class, Glencairn
Primary School and Muir Street Primary School, including discussion with
representative groups of parents, staff and children.
1.4
HM Inspectors considered:

the likely effects of the proposal for children and young people of the school
and nursery class; any other users; children likely to become pupils within two
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years of the date of publication of the proposal paper and other children and
young people in the council area;

any other likely effects of the proposal including on residents in the local area;

how the council intends to minimise or avoid any adverse effects that may
arise from the proposal; and

benefits which the council believes will result from implementation of the
proposal, and the council’s reasons for coming to these beliefs.
2.
Consultation process
2.1
North Lanarkshire Council undertook the initial consultation on its proposals
with reference to the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
2.2
At the public meeting, in subsequent meetings and in written submissions
concerns were raised by almost all parents and the staff of Calder Primary School
and Nursery Class. They expressed significant opposition to the proposal. These
included concerns that roll projections were inaccurate as they did not take account
of the future ‘Ravenscraig’ housing development. They were particularly concerned
about the distance and route children would have to walk to their new school, should
the council proceed with plans to increase the distance before providing buses for
children. All schools are near the centre of Motherwell where traffic is heavier. They
raised particular concerns about road congestion and safety of children at Muir
Street Primary School. This is a pre-existing problem. Parents and staff feel that
increasing the school roll by over 100 children will compound the problem. They
expressed concerns that the playground, assembly and dining arrangements would
be badly affected by the increased rolls in both schools, but particularly in Muir Street
Primary. Presently, playtime intervals and lunch time sittings have to be split
because the playground and hall cannot accommodate all existing children at the
same time to play or dine. Parents expressed concerns about the accuracy of the
structural report on Calder Primary School and Nursery Class which classifies the
school as category D (very poor). They also felt there had been deliberate
underinvestment in the school in recent years. They felt strongly that Calder Primary
School was a high attaining school and that the educational benefits for their children
had not been set out clearly. They regarded Calder Primary School as a high
attaining school as evidenced through standardised assessments. The educational
benefits statement is unclear about the impact on their children’s attainment as a
result of the proposal. Parents and staff dispute that their children would have more
opportunities to access extra-curricular activities. They feel they have good
opportunities at present and that the activities in the other schools are already filled
to capacity. They feel very strongly that the very good opportunities for outdoor
learning which exist through a large playground and having a public park within a
very short walking distance would be significantly reduced. Parents and staff
expressed concern about whether children would receive their entitlement to two
hours of quality physical education with increased numbers in the new schools.
Concern was expressed by a few parents about the availability of nursery places
within the local area should the nursery class close.
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2.3
Overall, most parents of Glencairn Primary School are in favour of the
proposal because they feel it secures the long term sustainability of the school.
Parents and staff did have significant concerns over aspects of the proposal. These
included fears about the health and safety of their children related to increased traffic
at the school. They expressed concerns regarding projected rolls. From their local
knowledge many felt that larger numbers may transfer to Glencairn Primary School.
This could pose problems because of the small playground and hall in the school.
The school has a hearing impairment unit whose children are integrated into the
mainstream school. Concern was expressed by staff and parents with children in the
hearing impaired unit that, with the increase in school roll, class sizes may have to
be increased with a detrimental effect on hearing impaired children. They were
particularly concerned that hearing impaired children may be placed in composite
classes. Staff and almost all parents were unhappy about losing additional space to
add more class rooms. They expressed concern about the lack of information
regarding transition support to integrate new children and those with additional
support needs who are presently at Glencairn Primary school. Concern was
expressed by staff and a few parents about the availability of local nursery places
should Calder Primary Nursery Class close.
2.4
Parents and staff of Muir Street Primary School expressed significant
opposition to the proposal. Staff, in their written submission, and a few parents
expressed concern that ‘the school, which already has significant numbers of
children with levels of deprivation, would receive large numbers of children with
levels of deprivation which would lead to additional social problems within the
school’. Almost all parents and the staff are concerned that the existing problem
regarding parking and traffic congestion will be compounded by the increased traffic
arising from an increased roll. Local residents reinforced this point. Concern was
expressed by staff that there would be a problem in providing after school clubs to
any new children as they are already full to capacity. Staff in their written submission
indicated that the school at present cannot fulfil its obligation to provide two hours of
quality physical education, due to lack of space. This will be made worse with a
projected roll increase of over 100 children. Staff and parents were concerned that
the school presently splits playtimes and lunch breaks to provide suitable playing
areas and dining facilities. The lunch time sittings would need to increase to three,
which will further reduce time for physical education. Due to the lack of space, and
with an increased roll, it will be extremely difficult for children to play energetically. It
is doubtful that all children would fit into the school hall at one time. An additional
concern was raised by parents and staff over the health and safety of children. The
existing muster point for fire drills, which is the only available space, could not
accommodate an increase in roll in excess of 100 children. A few parents expressed
concern at the removal of Lanarkshire Child Care Services, who provide out of
school care for children, under the proposal. They felt this would result in parents or
carers having to travel to find suitable out of school care provision.
2.5
Most children from Calder Primary School and Nursery Class were not in
favour of the proposal and cited many of the arguments put forward by their parents.
They did say that it would be good to have the opportunity to form new friendships or
be in contact with friends already at one of the other schools. Children from
Glencairn and Muir Street Primary Schools could see advantages and
disadvantages in the proposal. They could see advantages in making new friends,
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but did not want to have to leave friends if they had to move to new classes. They
worried about the potential of ‘bullying’ if children from other areas came to their
school.
3.
Educational aspects of the proposal
3.1
Calder Primary School is operating at under fifty percent occupancy and is
therefore underutilised. Calder Primary School is classified as being in very poor
condition with the other schools classified as being in good condition. As noted in
2.2, these classifications are being challenged by stakeholders in Calder Primary
School and Nursery Class. Spare capacity in Glencairn and Muir Street Primary
Schools can accommodate those children presently attending Calder Primary
School. This closure would bring savings that could be reinvested or used to help
minimise cuts elsewhere in the council. The increased roll in both Glencairn and
Muir Street Primary Schools should enhance the long term sustainability of the
schools.
3.2
The proposal sets out educational benefits. These relate mainly to providing
greater opportunities for curricular and extra-curricular activities, greater flexibility in
grouping children and utilising staff expertise due to having a larger staff team. At
present, children attending Calder Primary School benefit from a range of curricular
and extra-curricular activities and benefit from opportunities to learn in different ways
including in smaller and larger groups and through outdoor learning. In addition,
they benefit from a range of staff skills which supports their learning and
development in a range of ways. The educational benefits do not explain how
children would benefit further from the proposal over and above those benefits that
they currently have.
3.3
Children who attend Calder Primary School will have a distance of up to 1.9
miles to travel to school. This will be by walking, which will include crossing busy
roads, travelling by bus or by car with parents driving their children to school. Muir
Street Primary School has significant congestion problems at drop off and pick up
times. The council makes brief mention of transport to school in the proposal.
However, it will need to consider carefully children’s safety when travelling to school
and provide greater assurances to parents and children about how it will ensure
children’s safety.
3.4
The proposal indicates the commitment of the council to provide appropriate
planning for the transition. The council needs to provide greater detail on how it
intends to support children through this process, in particular children from Calder
Primary School and those children with additional support needs.
3.5
The proposal sets out educational benefits. Stakeholders have identified
several aspects where they feel the proposal will have a detrimental effect on
children’s learning experiences. These include a lack of outdoor learning
opportunities, some children not receiving their entitlement to two hours quality
physical education and no opportunity for children to meet together as a whole
school for assemblies. Further consideration needs to be given to how these issues
can be addressed.
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4.
Summary
4.1
The proposal from North Lanarkshire Council to cease educational provision
at Calder Primary School and Nursery Class at the end of session 2012/13 and
rezone children to Glencairn Primary and Muir Street Primary Schools, with nursery
children being relocated to provision in establishments within the Motherwell area,
addresses the under capacity issues in the school estate and would also help the
council achieve budget savings. However, it offers a limited number of educational
benefits to children. These relate mostly to greater flexibility due to enhanced
staffing through increased rolls. However, the proposal may have a detrimental
impact on the learning experiences of children, including those with additional
support needs. This will need further consideration by the council. In addition, there
are a number of significant issues which the council will need to consider further if it
decides to proceed with the proposal in its current form. This includes providing
greater clarity about how it intends to minimise or avoid any adverse effects that may
arise from this proposal.
4.2
The proposal is opposed by a significant number of stakeholders including
children, parents, staff and the local community. Stakeholders are justifiably
concerned about the possible negative effect on children’s learning experiences and
the lack of detailed transition arrangements. In addition, the concerns raised about
the journey to the new schools, the parking congestion and lack of a muster fire
assembly points which would accommodate all children at Muir Street Primary
School, are also justified. The council now needs to provide children and their
parents with clearer information on how it will ensure children’s health and safety. In
doing so, they should consider carrying out a full risk assessment of these issues.
4.3
Staff and parents from all schools expressed concerns as to the accuracy of
roll projections. Parents from Calder Primary School expressed concerns about the
validity of the Building Condition Category. The council needs to ensure it clarifies
the accuracy of these.
4.4
In relation to the concerns raised in this report HM Inspectors are not
confident that the current proposal to cease educational provision at Calder Primary
School and Nursery Class at the end of session 2012/13 and rezone children to
Glencairn Primary and Muir Street Primary Schools, with nursery children being
relocated to provision in establishments within the Motherwell area, would provide
educational benefits for children. The council needs to explain more clearly what
educational benefits will accrue from the proposal. During the consultation, the
council received a large number of responses from parents and carers outlining
concerns over children’s health and safety. The council needs to ensure that it fully
addresses these concerns in its final consultation report.
HM Inspectors
Education Scotland
December 2012
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