Border Telegraph | News | Channelkirk's fate is in councillor's hands

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 6th December, 2005 15:06

Channelkirk's fate is in councillor's hands

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

THE Oxton community has warned that Channelkirk Primary School is not home and dry yet.

The school has faced an uncertain future in recent months, as Scottish Borders Council undertook a consultation to consider closure or other options which would radically alter the school.

After a bitter campaign from residents fighting to keep the school open, SBC’s director of education, Glenn Rodger, revealed that he would be recommending no change for the school.

But Oxton residents have given the announcement only a cautious welcome, warning that Mr Rodger’s endorsement does not necessarily mean the school will stay open.

The school’s fate will be decided by a meeting of the full council on Thursday.

Feelings have run high during the consultation process, and Mr Rodger’s report acknowledges as much, by saying: “This consultation process has been extremely painful for everyone involved.”

Oxton residents are now fearful that councillors may reject Mr Rodger’s recommendation to keep the school unchanged.

SBC’s education portofolio holders, Val Robson and Andrew Farquhar, issued a statement last week praising Oxton for its “tangible and impressive” sense of community.

Councillor Robson also said: “I am in no doubt that the council will uphold (Mr Rodger’s) recommendation and make the right decision.”

But among the tributes for the Oxton community, Councillor Farquhar also said: “A number of charges have been made against the council team. While it may be understandable, it is not acceptable.”

Stuart Kinnear, chairman of Channelkirk school board, is hoping the feud can be laid to rest.

He said: “We are delighted that the recommendation made by the director of education and lifelong learning is to maintain the status quo at Channelkirk.

“This conclusion demonstrates that SBC has listened to the parents, relatives, pupils, teachers and the wider community. For that the council is to be commended.

“The consultation process has been very difficult and stressful for all parties involved, and we regret it could not have been conducted with a little more respect both on behalf of the community and the council officials.

“Although we are disappointed with the tone and content of both the report itself and the information released on the SBC website, we feel that it is now time to draw a line under it and move on.”

Beverley Dorward, who expressed her fears earlier this year that closing the school could spell the end for her Bakehouse Stores village shop, also gave the report a cautious welcome.

She said: “It is very good news, but we will need to wait until they tell us exactly what is planned.

“Everyone is just over the moon to think that a small village like this can turn it around, but we don’t know for how long. If it is only for three or four years down the line, then we could be facing this again.”

Social Bookmarking What are these?