Three Towns primary school boundary changes go ahead

Council chiefs are going ahead with proposals to change the boundaries between the catchment areas of four primary schools in the Three Towns despite some concerns about the plans.

North Ayrshire’s cabinet agreed to begin a public consultation to amend the catchment boundary lines between Mayfield, Glencairn, St Anthony’s and St John’s primaries in January with the survey closing in March.

The decision was taken due to a housing development being built in the area. Changes take effect from the start of the new school year in August.

Twenty-five formal online responses were received, however, two of these were not valid as the respondents referred to another building development in Saltcoats and not the Mayfield site.

Two respondents agreed with the proposal and 21 were against.

A further 56 responses were received from P4 to P7 pupils across the four directly-affected primary schools.

These were equally split, with half of the children supporting the proposal and others having some reservations.

Education Scotland is of the view that the proposal to change the catchment areas as stated by the council is sufficient in terms of educational benefits.

Shaun Macaulay, education cabinet member, said: “I know this has been going on for a number of months and we have engaged with the parent councils and the local schools. There has been feedback from them and the wider community.

“Education Scotland are happy with what we are doing.

“It is one of these things that happens when a big housing development takes place and I am fully confident that the pupils will get the best education they can get within the school that they want to choose.”