Education chief to meet Penpont parents

THE region’s education chief has promised to meet worried parents who are battling against cuts to teacher numbers at their primary school.

Gillian Brydson, above, last week insisted that she is very aware of the strength of feeling among parents and staff at Penpont Primary at council plans to reduce the school’s number of teachers from three to two.

North West Dumfries Councillor Paula Stevenson raised the issue with Dr Brydson at a meeting last week, saying: “The parents here are being led down the route that they think this is us trying to close their school by stealth. When in actual fact it’s quite a healthy school of 50 pupils and that’s absolutely not something that’s been suggested by this committee.

“What they are asking is for somebody from the education department to go and speak to them. They have asked and they’ve been denied that.

“Is it possible the education department can go and speak to them and reassure them of what’s going to happen?”

Gillian Brydson replied: “We have been communicating with this community, parent council, individuals, and the community council for some time.

“We were invited to a meeting at very short notice and were not able to attend.

“I am happy to engage with the community as to what the rules and responsibilities are with regards to a school of less than 50.”

Mrs Brydson explained that there are 14 schools in the same position as Penpont who are losing a class this year.

She continued: “It’s really important to me that we treat all our schools equally and fairly and transparently.

“So we have certainly not denied a meeting. We just could not attend at the short notice but I’m happy to do that over the recess.”