The Proposals
The Government believes that local councils should provide people with the information they need to give their views on a proposed closure and also wants to make sure that the decision to close a rural school is one of last resort. This is because of the significant impact a school closure can have on a rural community.
What does the consultation paper say?
The Government wants to change the law so councils must publish a statement (Educational Benefit Statement) on who would benefit educationally from a school closing, and how. Councils would also have to publish such a statement if they wanted to change a school’s site or its catchment area. It is hoped that this will make it clearer to everyone how a proposal would benefit pupils and others.
Improving the consultation process
The Government wants to make sure that all consultations on changes to school buildings, sites and catchment areas meet the highest standards. When considering making certain changes (including closing a school), it is suggested that a council should have to:
- publish a consultation paper, containing specified information
- consult for at least 6 weeks of term time
- seek the independent views of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE)
- hold a public meeting on its proposals
- publish a report of what people said during the consultation (including HMIE’s views), and how the council has responded.
Safeguarding rural schools
The Government wants to make sure that councils look at all the options and impact on communities before proposing a rural school closure. So for rural schools, it is proposed that councils have to consider the following in addition to the points above:
- alternatives to closing a rural school
- the impact on the community of closing a rural school
- the impact of closing a rural school on the community’s use of the school’s buildings, facilities and grounds
- impact of new travel patterns on pupils, others, and on the environmen if a rural school closes.
Cases referred to Scottish Government Ministers
Currently Scottish Government Ministers have the final say on whether or not some schools should be allowed to close. There are three reasons for a council’s decision to close a school to come to Ministers. One of these has to do with the distance pupils would have to travel if their local school closed, and another with how full a school is. The last is to do with providing denominational education. Ministers then decide whether or not they agree to the council closing the school.
How to get involved
The consultation paper asks for your views on whether Scottish Government Ministers should continue to have the final say on some school closures, and if so, which cases should come to Ministers.
You can read the consultation paper online: Safeguarding our rural schools and improving school consultation procedures: proposals for changes to legislation. Or you can request a copy by phoning 0131 244 0166.
