Council in bid to merge eight schools

CONTROVERSIAL school closure and merger plans are being put out to consultation by one of the country’s most successful education authorities.

East Dunbartonshire Council proposes to merge eight primaries into four new-build schools. The authority said changes were needed to “address under-occupancy and future sustainability” issues.

Council leader Rhondda Geekie said: “From the outset, we agreed that doing nothing about our primary estate was not an option. We have agreed that four options should move forward to statutory consultation. Subject to that statutory process, this council decision aims to deliver four new-build primary schools, fit for the 21st century, fit to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence, with all the associated educational benefits for our young people.”