Barely two weeks left of term at Hutton Primary School and the silence from the Scottish Executive as to its fate is deafening. Poor parents, poor children, poor teacher and support staff some of whom have had redundancy notices. What does it all mean? Is there a change of heart in the educational establishment? The school to be reprieved after all? The investment required to be provided by high heidian money bags and we all go forward into a rosy dawn? It is possible that Pigs may fly but unlikely.
Two rumours-it is now too late to end the school's existence and it will stay open an extra term to allow parents more time to make alternative arrangements. Possible I suppose but very damaging having to move children half way through an academic year. How many parents would want to take advantage of a very brief reprieve just postponing the inevitable disruption-not too fair on the teacher either being redeployed in mid year.
Rumour two. Chirnside has suddenly realised that they can't cope with the extra (12 or so) Huttonians and faced with a significant development locally have now to to find extra room for scores of children from within their existing catchment area-classes are hovereing around the 30 mark already. But if this is so why are the Borders Life Long learning but-only at large schools-establishment dragging their heels over local parents' wishes to send Hutton children to Swinton rather than Chirnside which is the 'school of choice' and for which a school bus will be provided as it wont be in the case of Swinton which, incidentally, has plenty of spare capacity.
So if Chirnside is worried about being overstretched, this is not the view from St Boswells.
Our local MSP seems hamstrung despite being the Scottish Depute (ugh) Minister for Education as he is acting in this instance for his constituents rather than as a Minister. But surely he must be involved with his boss in taking such important educational decisions?
The Save our School Action Group has said some highly critical and indeed confrontational (not always accurate apparently) things about the Borders Educational authorities. But any criticisms about how this end game is being conducted can hardly be harsh enough. The Borders will of course blame the Scottish Executive in whose court the matter still lies and there is truth in this but the Borders are hardly covering themselves in glory with regard to communication with parents and being responsive to parents' wishes on how best to further their childrens education. Swinton has room, Chirnside may not so why on earth not lay on a bus for the children to go to a school more like Hutton than Chirnside can ever be?
Better still admit that the closure decision is ill considered-give Hutton the investment it needs and we can all get back to normal. The needs of the children come first is the cry-this seems a very strange way of achieving that goal. And the pigs can return to terrestial pursuits.
