FURIOUS parents in Newcastleton are set to seek a judicial review in a bid to overturn last week's controversial decision by Scottish Borders Council to deny the village school its own dedicated head teacher.
Instead, members voted 18-11 for the isolated 67-pupil primary to share a head with Stirches primary school, 21 miles away in Hawick.
“This is a real kick in the teeth for a community which already feels sidelined by this council,” said Julie Arms
trong, chair of the Newcastleton School Partnership (NSP). “On this issue, our views have been totally ignored and the mood is one of anger and utter frustration.
“We will wait until the end of the summer holiday and consider our options, which include seeking a judicial review at the Court of Session and lodging a complaint with the Public Services Ombudsman because we believe there is evidence of maladministration by council education officials.”
That is a reference to the cost-cutting Transforming Children’s Services (TCS) review which went out to lengthy consultation last year.
Throughout that process, the document recommended a number of shared headships involving rural and urban schools, but notably exempted Newcastleton because of its remoteness. It did, however, propose a shared head for the neighbouring Hawick primaries of Wilton and Stirches.
But as Councillor David Paterson, whose Hawick and Hermitage ward includes Newcastleton, reminded colleagues on Thursday, a meeting of Wilton and Stirches parents unanimously opposed such a link and, shortly before the council approved the TCS document on December 18, the Newcastleton/Stirches shared headship was recommended.
“At the 11th hour, the goalposts were moved ... and a grave mistake was made on December 18,” said Mr Paterson. “Let us correct it now.”
Mr Paterson was supporting the motion of fellow ward councillor George Turnbull (Con.), a member of the ruling administration.
“I urge the council to honour its commitment to the children and parents of Newcastleton and restore their confidence in this council,” said Mr Turnbull. “Proper consultation was bypassed on this occasion and a decision made for reasons of expediency.”
And the third Hawick and Hermitage member, council vice-convener Ron Smith (Lib. Dem.), concurred.
“Newcastleton has taken on the role of a reluctant bride at an arranged marriage ... but it is a community united in calling for a single head teacher.
“They are concerned about the long and winding road to Hawick where there have been two recent accidents involving the school bus ...
