Dismay over Cupar school ruling
St Columba's RC Primary School, Cupar
A GROUP of Cupar parents have reacted with dismay after being told that their youngest children cannot attend the same school as their older siblings.
Five local families this week received the news they had been dreading - that their four-year-olds will not be able to join their big brothers and sisters at St Columba’s RC Primary School after the summer term due to a shortage of places.
Among those affected is Cupar mum Annaline Barr, whose two daughters face being split up.
Six-year-old Daisy is in P2 at St Columba’s, but Darcy (4), who starts school this year, will have to go elsewhere.
“She is really upset that she won’t be able to go to school with her big sister,” said Mrs Barr.
“The grim reality is that I am now in a situation where I have two children wearing two different uniforms as they go off to school.
“On top of that, there are obviously practical problems in getting each of them to separate schools in time for the start of the school day.
SHOCK
“At the moment I’m in a state of shock and don’t really know what to do.
“The parents affected are getting together to see if we can come up with a solution as some of the younger children are quite distressed.
“Some may want to take their older children out of St Columba’s, but that will cause disruption for them and there may not be enough places at Castlehill as it’s already over-subscribed.
“The only other alternative is to send them to schools outwith the town.
“We are really in a state of turmoil over this.”
John McLaughlin, Fife Council’s Area Education Officer, told the Fife Herald that the parents had a right to appeal.
He said: “From time to time people want more places than there are spaces. The admissions process is controlled by the schools admissions policy which was recently approved by the council.
“Parents have the right to make formal appeals under Scottish education legislation and these would be heard by an independent appeals committee should parents take up their right.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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Temperature: 4 C to 16 C
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