Joy as village school is saved from closure

The whole community is delighted that East Dunbartonshire Council has decided not to proceed with closure proposals for Baldernock Primary in Balmore and that the rural community will continue to benefit from the fabulous, unique education the school provides.

East Dunbartonshire Council first revealed its ‘preferred position’ to merge Baldernock Primary with Torrance Primary in March 2013.

But the local authority was unable to act until the Scottish Government’s Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education had delivered its findings.

It was one of a number of prospective school mergers to counter falling school rolls.

However, parents and the wider community put a huge effort into making sure that the council knew how vital the school is to this scattered, rural community which has no other suitable public facilities.

This is the first time in many years that the council has said that it has no plans for closure.

Chair of Baldernock Primary parent council, Rona Hamilton, said: “Having the threat of closure removed feels like a great weight has been lifted.

“We are keen to work with the council and take the next steps to benefit the children and the wider community.

“The council voted to started an informal consultation with the community in September 2014 to look at all options for education in the area.

“The first public meeting took place in January 2015.

“The community has been waiting for a long time and the uncertainty of what would happen has affected the school. We welcome this positive news.”

Gordon Currie, director of East Dunbartonshire Council’s education and children’s services, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in consultations about Baldernock Primary so far and invite them to continue to be a part of discussions about the future of the school.

“We have reached this point through two-way consultation, taking views on board and listening to what everyone has had to say.

“Future discussions will focus on how best to develop the learning environment, address under-occupancy and cost issues, within the existing provision.”