Momentum is growing for standalone primary school in Berwickshire town
Momentum is growing for a campaign to ensure Eyemouth gets a new standalone primary school.
Late last year the plug was pulled on a Scottish Borders Council consultation launched over proposals for the relocation of the school into the town’s High School amid overwhelming public opposition.
It was agreed instead to launch an engagement plan with all elements of the community and for the formation of focus groups to agree a way forward.
When members of SBC met in May they were told that in response to this engagement, officers had further developed two broad routes for consideration.
The first was the initial campus proposal, based on relocation of primary provision to the High School site, with a separate Early Years and Family Centre on the current primary site.
The second was an alternative new build proposal, based on a new standalone primary school with early years and family centre provision on, or aligned to, the existing Eyemouth Primary School site.
Campaigners are determined that the standalone option will win the day.
A survey has been carried out in the town and, of those questioned, not one person supported the transfer of primary pupils to the High School.
An engagement session is to be held at Eyemouth Parish Church on Monday, August 31, from 6.30pm at which the people of the town can have their say.
Also in the pipeline, on Thursday, September 17, is a public meeting to be attended by Borders MP John Lamont and MSP Rachael Hamilton, at which parents can consider the outcomes of recent SBC engagement sessions.
Councillor James Anderson, Independent representative of East Berwickshire, has been at the forefront of the campaign for a new school on its own site.
He said: “We are gathering the evidence for the next stage of ensuring we get a standalone primary school.
“Scottish Boders Council’s budget is not set yet and there is money that can be prioritised for the new primary school.
“This isn’t about lack of money, it’s about a lack of will to prioritise East Berwickshire, and that’s absolutely unforgiveable.”