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Rural Moray school parents confident of survival

Newmill parents
Newmill parents

Parents of pupils attending Moray’s Newmill Primary yesterday said they were extremely positive about the prospects of saving their school by highlighting their current progress rather than their future potential.

People across the region have spoke of their anguish and heartbreak after Caledonian Economics released their draft proposals, following a year-long sustainable education review.

Under the plans, Milne’s High School in Fochabers could be closed, with pupils moving to New Elgin High, while a “super campus” for youngsters aged three to 18 could be built in Keith at the existing grammar school site – taking in pupils from Newmill and Crossroads.

But there is a quiet confidence among members of Newmill Parent Council, who firmly believe that they have what it takes to survive closure.

Parent Council chairwoman Jane McKenzie said: “We are staying positive about our chances of keeping Newmill Primary open because we feel we have a good school and good reasons to stay open.

“The councillors said the super campus at Keith will help disadvantaged kids in rural schools have access to better facilities.

“But, the kids at our school don’t feel disadvantaged to us in any way, we just need to show the councillors that.

“They are getting an all-round education. It’s not all from teachers, but it’s being brought into schools in other ways.

“At Newmill we have never ever felt we are subject to staffing and resource problems.

“We just want to make sure they listen to our report and look at our track record of transition and integration from playgroup right through to age 11. We understand they have a difficult job, but we just feel that this three to 18 campus project is being pushed all the way without looking at the facts.”

Speaking on Sunday night, Moray Council leader Allan Wright said schools will not currently be able to save themselves by stating what they are doing.

Yesterday, Judith Belford, secretary of the parent council, said: “We understand Caledonian Economics have tough decisions to make.

“They have to look at the whole of Moray. They can’t look at every area, but we know our area, and what we have said is not being taken on board.

“We understand there has to be change, and we all want the best for our kids, but we are yet to be convinced that a Keith super campus can achieve better.”