Future of Dalry Secondary in doubt

THE future of Dalry Secondary is in doubt after education chiefs moved towards the first step in a school closure process. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education department is now asking councillors to approve the preliminary stages of a statutory consultation on the closure of the high school. While no decisions have been made and council officers claim there is no presumption of closure as yet, they have put forward a strong argument that the school is no longer sustainable. A report states: “The school is currently facing significant challenges due to a very low pupil roll and increasing difficulty in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.” Dumfries and Galloway Council is already considering multiple school closures that would lead to total savings of more than £3.5 million by 2028/29. And in a recently-published report profiling schools in a points-based system, Dalry Secondary was one of the lowest scoring schools in the region. This new consultation report, which councillors will discuss on Tuesday, will be a hammer blow to the community. The parent council had been looking at proposals for an all-through – or middle – school to try and secure its future. Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell said: “Whilst pupil numbers at Dalry Secondary are critically low, it’s sad and really disappointing that we’ve reached the point where councillors are being asked to approve the preliminary stages of a statutory consultation on the closure of Dalry Secondary. “This comes despite the best efforts of the local community and ward councillors such as myself and Councillors Andy McFarlane and John Denerley, to protect and sustain rural education provision in the Glenkens. “My expectation however is that if approved, the consultation must include all sectors with an interest in the prosperity and wellbeing of the community and allow for meaningful discussion and analysis of alternative proposals for education provision in the area. “The impact of closure will be far reaching, so a statutory consultation must reflect that impact. As such I’ll be seeking assurances from education officers that the consultation will proceed on that basis.” Pic: St John's Town of Dairy CC