South Ayrshire Council has decided that Good Shepherd Primary School and St John’s Primary School will amalgamate at the start of the 2007/2008 academic year in August 2007.

In January 2007 the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee approved the formal consultation document on the proposed amalgamation of the two schools.  Consultation then took place with individuals and bodies prescribed by The Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and the Amendment Regulations 1987, 1988 and 1989.  Namely parents of children affected by the proposals, the school board and church representatives.

As part of the consultation process Officers from the Council’s Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning (ECLL) department attended three separate public meetings with parents, school boards and other interested parties.  A total of 16 responses were received by the Director of Education, Culture and Lifelong learning.

From the start of the school session of 2007/08 pupils who meet the qualifying criteria under the Council’s School Transport policy will be entitled to free school transport if they live more than one mile safe walking distance from their new catchment primary school.

The decant arrangements for Good Shepherd Primary School pupils and staff has worked well, however the temporary nature of the arrangement is causing uncertainty among staff, pupils and parents.  Members of the full Council considered the situation and decided to amalgamate the two schools.   

Amalgamating the two schools will result in annual revenue savings of £61,698 (part year saving of £39,194).  The main revenue savings are in employee costs, however any revision to staffing and management structures will be managed in accordance with the Council’s agreed policies and procedures.

Good Shepherd Primary School building will now be declared surplus to the ECLL department’s requirements. 

April 2007