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T in the Park
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1

PG,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 13:08:14
Maybe the roll at Bonnington has dropped so much because of the constant threat of closure. I pass it every day on the way home when the kids are coming out and it looks like a really sweet community school with a good community spirit. Shame it's closing. It's so disruptive to the childrens education and adds extra time and burden to the poor parents who need to take them further to school. However, I can understand that it just isn't economically viable to keep open a school with only 80 pupils in in when a nearby school can accomodate them. Wonder how many of the schools quoted as being able to take the Bonnington kids on are also on the new hit list - I know Broughton was on the list last time to be merged and moved into Drummond - also on the hit list. This is a sneaky tactic by the council to close the schools they already had listed - do it in dribs and drabs and there will be less outcry and we'll get it through.

By the way Councillor McLaren - if you continue to cut budgets the way you are then the services people can provide on it will be utter crud whether it be school meals or teaching or care. How is it such a shock that your schools are now supplying cheap nasty processed rubbish for lunches? It'll be Savers beans on Savers cheap white toast next - 20p to make and charged £1.65 to the poor parents.
2

Bob 2,

16/06/2008 13:09:37
Hard case to argue, when the average class number for lismore/bonnington is just 12.

Have they got 2 headteachers earning £50k+ each

82% of pupils in the Bonnington catchment attend other schools.........Some of the blame must go on the people (no doubt for good reasons) that send their children to other schools outhwith the catchment area?
3

Bob 2,

16/06/2008 13:11:35
good comments no1
but think you'll find that... Savers beans on Savers cheap white toast next .....has more nutrition in them than a school dinner
4

What a banker,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 13:26:54
Well done Mr Corcoran - duly elected spokesman for getting your comments posted.

Already there are territorial issues between these schools, and for children to have to go to a school that's historically been their enemy is just not on."


Shame they make you sound like an immature wee schoolboy! What chance do the kids have?

Maybe we should stop blaming the kids for todays wrongs and focus on thee adults?
5

Suzi B,

16/06/2008 13:27:52
David Corcoran, a member of the parents group fighting plans to close Westburn, said: "These proposals are unacceptable.
"Already there are territorial issues between these schools, and for children to have to go to a school that's historically been their enemy is just not on."

Hang on a minute Mr Corcoran, we are talking about children aged 4-12 here, aren't we? Territorial enemies with other children? I think we need to waken up and smell the horse sh!t.
If people are having turf wars across Sighthill, Murrayburn and Canal View maybe it is time they all went to school together and learned some tolerance. But maybe it's the grown ups who need to be doing that.
6

gorgeousgorgieboy,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 13:31:21
Good news.
7

alex paterson,

embra 16/06/2008 13:31:56
Well thats a few school run cars of the road in that area.
8

crunch,

16/06/2008 13:45:01
well done the council, for once the right decision has been made.

these schools need to be shut down

9

tomias,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 13:48:00
Education should be privatised.Tax payers receiving vouchers.
Cooncillors re-employed as jannies etc.
10

Ron S,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 14:11:11
"....savings on running costs and staff, although the council said all staff would be "redeployed"."

You can't save money on staff if the staff are redeployed.

11

Dunaskin,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 14:47:27
#11 - Ron - the Council has natural wastage to cope with, retirement, departure, sickness, even death, across their whole workforce. So the staff could be redeployed no problems. Some might remain as teachers and reduce the need for supply teachers. Some might re-train for other roles, and take up vacancies within the council. If these are all small schools then the number of staff affected will not be huge.
12

candysticks,

16/06/2008 15:04:13
This angers me and I have to admit for purely selfish reasons.

Yes the numbers at Bonnington have fallen dramatically over the last five / six years, but mostly because of the number of times this is mentioned in the press. One mention in the EEN and at least 3 or four children move to other schools. Three mentions in one week, and you've got 10 kids leaving.

Both of my daughters went to Bonnington. I have one in P6 about to start P7 - the last thing she needs is to be moved to another school this year and then another the following year. My other daughter is at Drummond - and loving it.

Bonnington provided both with a great grounding in life. It was an incredibly multicultural school, where the kids learnt about other cultures by experiencing and celebrating them first hand and not just reading a text book.

My daughter in P6 is a credit to the school - infact probably one of the kids who pull the achievement percentages right up.

When the new administration took over at council HQ, we were told that no school would close until summer '09. So why are we being told Christmas '08 now? And can they go back on that?




13

angry mum 08,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 15:34:26
my 6 year old son goes to bonnington how hard do you think its going to be for us parents to tell our children they can no longer go to the school they love .i no that theres only 80 kids now thats only because of all the times it been in the news due to the council putting out there to scare the parents and its worked shame on them .
14

angry mum 08,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 15:38:52
what about the nursery at bonnington its got a waiting list its so full no 1 talks about that do they.most of the kids that go there will go to the school if the council stops bad mouthing it
15

A Leither,

16/06/2008 15:39:36
Well said #13 - the kids at Bonnington are a very well-rounded and happy bunch, and the teachers are brilliant and well-liked. THe EN has successfully managed to drive so many kids away by the constant 'leaking' of supposed closure lists. My daughter is in P3 and has lost almost half of her class in the last year because of the constant threats of closure. I know why the school's reading level is below par - they have a much higher-than-average number of kids from different ethnic backgrounds and countries, many of whom arrive with barely a word of English. I'll bet that's not taken into account in the stats.

My own daughter has been reading at a level a year or two above her age-group since she started at Bonnington, and the teachers have encouraged and challenged her constantly so that she doesn't stagnate. Similarly with maths and English - kids are moved into higher classes if their abilities are advanced, allowing the teachers to concentrate on helping those who need brought up to standard.

It will be sadly missed when it closes; I wish my own primary had been as happy and encouraging when I was young.
16

Save Portobello Park,

Duddingston 16/06/2008 15:40:23
#14 if it is going to be really hard for you to tell the children that they can no longer go to the school they love, why not get someone else to tell them for you.
17

,

16/06/2008 15:51:22
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18

angry mum 08,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 15:53:57
bonnington had well over 25 for the new primary 1.bet it has nt anymore
19

angry mum 08,

16/06/2008 15:55:51
#17 take it you dont have kids or you have no feelings
20

Gorgie_Tony,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 16:01:32
This is the SNP/libdems showing their true colours - they never mentioned school closures in the run up to the local elections - they are nothing but a disgrace. Many wee kiddies are going to be very upset that the council are sacking their teachers and closing down their beloved schools. This means these displaced kiddies will have to join other schools - making classes even bigger. (Didn't Salmond promise to reduce class sizes? (another SNP lie)). Roll on the elections and we can show this lot the door.
21

,

16/06/2008 16:22:08
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22

,

16/06/2008 16:24:24
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23

candysticks,

16/06/2008 16:34:48
Can we realistcally blame the SNP / Lib Dem administration? I don't think so. They're dealing with the fall out from the previous Labour Administration. It takes time to rectify what was what, 50 years of Labour domination in Scotland? The Labour party started this nonsense back in 2003/4 or perhaps earlier.

Yes, I'm annoyed at the new administration going back on their word of not closing schools before the Summer '09, but they didn't lay the plans in the first place. That was down to Ewan Aitken and his cronies.

Our kids deserve the best education going. And I don't just mean Bonnington kids.

I really wish some posters on this site - a site for local news and current issues would go elsewhere to post their nonsensical drivel. There must be a number of websites where this cynical / personal attacking on each other is more appropriate.

24

,

16/06/2008 16:35:41
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25

Shurley,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 16:47:25
Lismore no more....

lets get real....lets campaign to keep the schools open for the one remain pupil eh...and i cannot agree with #21 the SNP policy is working....but not by purpose....and anyways, once they have given away all the gimmicks, we will need to sell the land on which these schools sit in order to balance the books....bring back tony blair
26

Shurley,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 16:52:17
#26....nice one coll....true SNP colours being nailed firmly to the lampost there eh....
27

,

16/06/2008 16:54:30
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28

,

16/06/2008 16:57:39
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29

tomias,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 16:58:03
private good- state schools are propaganda pools for dependancy- vouchers all round and top up the costs.
state schooling has had it far too easy and let the faiths run theirs privately too.
Wee ones do not love schools- their egotistical parents just want their money for boozing and fags and yes drugs.
30

Shurley,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 16:59:05
#29 be careful Tony....they will package you off to the other side of the world by boat for such dissent...and anyways, they need to close these schools to take the traffic off the road...to allow space for all the additional cars and fumes created by removing the tolls on the bridge...
31

Shurley,

Edinburgh... 16/06/2008 17:00:58
OMG....a Tory...not seen one of those in Scotland since the mid 70's....someone must have lifted the rock.
32

A Mrs,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 17:01:12
staff that are redeployed will prob be on a trial possition for 3 months, after that it is up to their new employer whether they get to stay or not. very often there is some excuse not to keep them on.
33

candysticks,

16/06/2008 17:10:54
No 31.

In my opinion, faith run schools tend to cause more problems in terms of race / religious hatred than non denominational schools. I went to a Catholic school in the West of Scotland and there is so much bigotry involved with Protestant and Catholic in fighting. Surely we should educate our children to be tolerant in all religions etc. and not force feed them bigotry and that the only correct faith is the one they are taught in 'faith schools'. This is the reason I chose to place my children in a non denominational, multi cultural school.



Can you quantify and qualify the statement that "Wee ones do not love schools- their egotistical parents just want their money for boozing and fags and yes drugs."

You may have one example of this but it's no way the norm.

My daughter does 'love' her school. She has friends there that she's known since nursery, most of the staff she's known for almost 8 years now, therefore she feels comfortable with the 'love' and trust she experiences going to school.

Not all parents can afford to pay extra for schooling, but I would, if I possibly could, in order to prevent the trauma of having to change school at such an important time of life.
34

Gorgie_Tony,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 17:15:57
Notice how redeployed is in inverted commas. Yes - in future it will be "please Miss - can I have more chips with my burger!?"
35

CRAGman,

16/06/2008 17:17:59
Shutting Lismore is a crime. The solution is to work to see if the school can be reduced in physical size and given better community facilities. Small schools are not unviable schools.

All the local councillors need to take a stand on this matter - and that goes for Bonnington too.
36

Mad Meg,

Morningside 16/06/2008 19:06:48
I for one am very happy with the measures that are being taken.
I'm right behind Marilyne MacLaren et al.

My only niggle is that they are not wielding the axe enough.
Close down ALL schools, so that the council can create even more money - imagine all the nice new housing that can be built for those who have healthy amounts of money.

As for cutting down on the food for all the nursery children - what's wrong with feeding them on gruel.
That should be given to ALL the working class children in Edinburgh.

Well at least they are "getting the boot in".
Keep up the good work LIB DEM/SNP ALLIANCE and I'm looking forward to seeing even more of your vicious cuts in the future.

37

Mad Meg,

Morningside 16/06/2008 19:10:38
I forgot to add that all the children could be sent out to work (especially if all the schools were to be closed down).

I hope you taking notes of my ideas, Councillor MacLaren, as I feel they are right up your street.
38

rs,

in ma house 16/06/2008 21:01:17
Gorgie_Tony

normally agree with most of your comments, but must agree a few other commentors on this one.

The original "school closures" plan was drawn up under a LABOUR Administration., but with last years election looming they dropped this Political Hot Potato.

The reality is if they had won the election, they would have still been left with this ticking time bomb.

A number of schools were merged when Labour in power.

I think someone made a comment when Labour Lost the election and the Council Books were looked at.

Labour had been like Children with a Credit Card and spent spent spent. not worrying about the Bill that came in.

Yes it would be great to have school class sizes of 12, every school would welcome that.

But today balancing the Books is the name of the game.

In fact the 3 schools added together, probably have the same School roll as one big Primary.

So instead of:
1 headteacher , theres 3
1 Jannie. there's 3
2 admin. theres six

and so on

Never mind maintaining 3 buildings

Again as many have commented in the past
Some Blame must lye with the Parents who have sent there Kids to other schools and NOT their LOCAL School
39

Porty Pirate,

The Beach 16/06/2008 21:04:39
Mad Meg - Have you had a sneaky peek at Cllr Maclaren's 5 year strategy?
40

Gorgie_Tony,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 21:29:41
#40 The SNP, who are in charge of Scotland, made an election manifesto pledge that they would reduce classroom sizes. The SNP/libdem Edinburgh Council are now closing schools, which will ultimately result in larger classroom sizes. So are the SNP going to honour their pledge? And if so, how? I used my commonsense at the last elections and so this coming - I knew the SNP were telling lies to gain votes. Unfortunately the gullible public voted for them. No doubt if the Nazi party promise free beer and fags for all at the next election, the gullible public will also vote for them - but don't expect the freebies when they get in!
41

dizzy diane,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 21:34:58
I as a parent whos children both attend WESTBURN PRIMARY SCHOOL think it is appalling that they want to shut down a perfectly good school. Both my kids have acheived a very good education at this school. Personally i don't think the council or education department have got a clue as to what they are doing by PROPOSING to close a perfectly good school.
42

Gorgie_Tony,

Edinburgh 16/06/2008 21:39:30
#43 - I agree with you about closing down a good school - did you vote SNP or libdem at the last local election?
43

Julian.,

edinburgh 16/06/2008 22:46:57
For all you people against closing these schools, do you actually realise these schools are running at 30% capacity?

And yes OK, part of the reason is that pupils have moved elsewhere. But that just demonstrates there is plenty of slack in the primary school system.

There are now 10,000 less primary school pupils so why should the rest of us increaingly subsidise you lot with your dwindling numbers of children in school?

And before anyway says it, yes I have a child.
44

candysticks,

16/06/2008 23:40:36
Julian,

Yes, I personally do realise the reasons behind closing schools. My point was that continued media coverage in EEN had had a direct impact on the named schools. The minute a schools is 'facing the axe' the numbers fall.

If what was said about Bonnington having an intake of 25 P1's in August, that would be twice the number of the previous P1 intake and would imply numbers would increase. With experience, as I mentioned in previous posts - every time Bonnington is mentioned as a school under threat in the press 3 - 4 kids leave.

Incidentally, when my older daughter started in P1 in 2000, there were approximately 40 kids in that intake - which had to be split over 2 classes. The couple of years after that were the same. Had this threat of closure not been revealed four / five years ago, I'm pretty sure that the role numbers would be much higher than they are today.

45

Julian.,

edinburgh 17/06/2008 00:27:23
#46,

OK, fair point, maybe the papers should be less open about schools under threat. But at the end of the day, if the whole thing was done in secret, schools would still have to close anyway as there are 10,000 less kids attending. You would just end up with parents being told at short notice that there school was closing
46

Shurley,

Edinburgh 17/06/2008 07:58:01
Mad Meg....you're my hero....can we have lunch once the kids have swept the chimney?

 

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