Council rubbish claims of Glenrothes schools merger plan

Bryan Poole, spokesman for education, children, young people and families told the Gazette the claims amounted to nothing more than opposition scaremongering, despite clarifying the situation with Glenrothes councillor Fiona Grant at the time.

Cllr Poole said he merely used Glenrothes and Glenwood high schools as examples when explaining Scottish Government capital funding during a full council meeting last week.

“Any future investment would be subject to consultation with parents, pupils, staff and local councillors, “ said Cllr Poole.

“I stress as things stand there are no plans nor indeed do we have any indication from the Scottish Government whether there is any investment to bid for.’’

However Cllr Fiona Grant has accused Cllr Poole of showing contempt to the people of Glenrothes, adding: “Whatever is proposed, this is no way to start the conversation.”

Following a Fife-wide review of the schools estate in 2103, the Council’s executive committee agreed there would be no further school closures in the elected term other than where there is a new school investment opportunity.

It also accepted an education report’s findings that highlighted the surplus provision of high school places in Glenrothes with the longer-term requirement being for two secondary schools in the town rather than the current three.

While there continues to be no funding set aside for rehousing of Glenwood or Glenrothes High, the recommendation agreed in April 2013 that Fife Council would investigate any such opportunity that arose, still stands.