Dalry Community Council backs parents over fourth year situation at Dalry School

Dalry Community Council is backing parents in their bid to have the situation with fourth year pupils at the school resolved.

Vice chairwoman Michele Owen said: “Dalry Community Council strongly advocates for the best outcome for our community and the young people living in the Glenkens, in which Dalry Secondary School occupies an important and necessary part of our community.

“The Glenkens Community Action Plan emphasises the importance of the education provision in our rural area to ensure people want to continue to live and work in the area, whilst also being a key component in encouraging new families and businesses to relocate to the Glenkens.

“We wish to share our support to both the parents involved, and the parent council, whilst strongly encouraging the school leadership to review their consultation and communication approach when planning or implementing any change to education provision.”

Local politicians are also calling for action.

Dee and Glenkens councillor, Dougie Campbell, said: “I was disappointed to hear that a number of fourth year pupils who had already elected to study at Dalry School have been told to attend Castle Douglas High.

“I’ve received many complaints about this and fully appreciate why pupils and parents are so concerned about this decision, taken at such a late stage. I’ve arranged an urgent meeting with council education officials to discuss the circumstances, and will work with the parent council to ensure that young people in the Glenkens receive the best educational opportunities possible and that they aren’t at any disadvantage.”

Galloway and West Dumfries MSP, Finlay Carson, said: “Making this decision at the latest possible minute means pupils and parents are now left with significant uncertainty and concern about the new school term. It’s simply not good enough.

“I have been in correspondence with the council and the head teacher recently about Dalry School and at no time was there any suggestion that the S4 year group would not run.

“Dalry School is crucial to ensuring that the Glenkens is a thriving rural area and it is important that the council recognise this by properly supporting the school and working to grow the school, rather than being content to run it down.”