We've received confirmation that the proposals for new schools in the West End will not meet minimum government regulations governing size of site. Scottish Ministers have approved the city council's application for dispensation from the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 and as amended, on the basis that:
"Scottish Ministers are content to approve, in terms of regulation 7(6), the area of the west end site for the proposed two schools and nursery. They take the view that, in all the circumstances, it would be unreasonable to apply the standards prescribed in the regulation."
The city council has also been instructed to follow HMIe recommendations:
"...to clarify its proposals for use of Victoria Park by giving a commitment to how it would dedicate part of the park for use of the two primary schools and a firmer indication of what pitches or sports areas might be laid out for their use at various times of the year. The council should also seek to reassure parents about the levels of contamination of soil at the proposed site and the level of danger from the nearby electricity sub-station. HMIE also recommends that the council shares and discusses the detailed plans for the joint campus with parents."
We look forward to receiving the council's detailed plans and glad to see that the council has been made aware that the provision of playing fields is a requirement, not a guideline, nor as the Education Convener
stated in May 2009,
"there is no absolute need for them...for us to provide them with a playing field"
So- it is down in black and white that the Logie site is 2,000 sq meters short of legal requirements and yet this is allowed to go ahead. I find it hard to abide that the children will be loosing out on so much. I find it immoral that the people who should lead with wisdom and care for our youngsters are so flippant about their basic rights. Victoria park to be used as a playing field is unrealistic. Its too far to treck and it takes too much time off the PE sessions. So most of the PE will be done indoors- but this is progress. Fresh air for kids is not important is it!!! I believe the Lochee parents will not accept the dispensation and I admire their spirit. I would be honoured to be a parent among them.
ReplyDeleteSince the Scottish Government was created in 1999, there have been NO primary schools built that required dispensation because they site failed to meet MINIMUM statutory regulations.
ReplyDeleteThe Logie site is the FIRST!
What sort of leadership have we got that decided to force that upon us?
The Winners are :
1. the SNP
2. the Council
3. the Al-Maktoum institute for the study of Islam and Muslims.
The Losers are :
1. the West End children who will have an officially sub-standard new school
2. Local Democracy and Accountability
3. the St Joseph's Catholic community