Plans to turn the former Riverside Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Renton into a secondary school for children with additional support needs are going to consultation.
The Riverside ELCC was co-located with St Martin’s Primary in the village until last year, but it has since moved into the new £15million Renton campus.
Last week councillors agreed to a consultation that would see the building redeveloped as an additional support needs school, with demand for ASN services expected to continue to rise.
Currently, Kilpatrick School in Clydebank is the only dedicated ASN school in West Dunbartonshire.
A report issued to councillors said: “In line with national trends, it is recognised there is an increasing number of pupils with a complexity of Additional Support Needs in West Dunbartonshire Council.
“This has previously been addressed with the expansion of our Primary ASN provision. However, it is now necessary to expand the secondary provision as this cohort moves through primary to secondary school.”
If approved, the new facility would accommodate 36 pupils, with its location allowing pupils and staff to work alongside St Martin’s Primary and Vale of Leven Academy.
However, the report stressed that all three schools would remain separate establishments.
It added: “(The school would provide) modern, dedicated and multi-purpose spaces, designed to deliver all areas of Curriculum for Excellence and to encourage innovative and flexible teaching and effective learning.”
Councillors welcomed the plans though alongside outlining concerns they want addressed.
Labour’s Michelle McGinty (above) said: “I welcome the proposals that would ensure the future of St Martin’s Primary School, but also the availability of ASN which demand is increasing significantly for. At the moment we don’t have enough availability for the pupils we have.
“There are a couple of concerns that are going to have to be addressed, however.
“Parents will be concerned about a secondary school going into a primary school. Especially a secondary school where there are children with significant needs.
“As a parent who had a child at Riverside and St Martin’s I am aware that there are areas in the school where they can mix. I don’t know how easy that will be to control. We need to make sure it’s something that’s been considered.”
Claire Cusick, senior education officer, said: “In any planning, we’ll evaluate risk as a key part. There is opportunity as well as threats, and we’ll make sure we plan around that to make the best campus we can for all.”
SNP leader Karen Conaghan added: “Can I have it confirmed that the pupils who attend would be from the whole of West Dunbartonshire and not just the Vale of Leven area?” Ms Conaghan was informed that places would be allocated across the locality.
The consultation opened yesterday (October 3) and will run until November 11, with public meetings held online and in-person at St Martin’s Primary on October 25.
The proposal will be published on the West Dunbartonshire Council website with copies available from St Martin’s Primary School, Alexandria Library and WDC’s Church Street offices. Comments can be made by phone 01389 737391; by email educationconsultation@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or in writing to the CEO, West Dunbartonshire Council, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton G82 1QL.
Feedback and recommendations will be presented to the educational services committee in March.
