South Lanarkshire councillors are to vote on new catchment areas for two Cambuslang primary schools next month.
A consultation was launched last year to gather public responses on the council’s decision to amend catchment areas for Newton Farm and Hallside Primary schools.
Elected members will vote on September 21 based on the results of the consultation.
The proposals include realigning the catchment areas of Newton Farm and Hallside Primary schools as well as altering the secondary school those pupils in the rezoned area would attend from Uddingston Grammar School to Cathkin High School.
Due to the increased level of pupil generation from the Community Growth Area, the Newton Farm Primary School roll is far exceeding what was planned for. This is even with a seven classroom extension, there is insufficient space in the school to continue to cope with the catchment area children.
Hallside Primary School has sufficient space to take additional pupils, and this could assist with capacity pressures at Newton Farm Primary school.
The consultation proposal document shared with the public indicated: ‘any current catchment child attending Newton Farm Primary School during school session 21/22 and living in the proposed rezoned area for Hallside Primary School will have the right to remain at Newton Farm Primary School. These pupils will then be offered the option of attending either Uddingston Grammar School or Cathkin High School regardless of any catchment change. Thereafter, any further younger siblings enrolling in primary one in respect of school sessions August 2022 through to August 2027 will have the option to enrol at Newton Farm Primary School and have the right to attend Uddingston Grammar School.’
The consultation received 225 written responses – 89 were in favour, 114 were not in favour and 22 were undecided.
Education Scotland was also consulted, South Lanarkshire Council welcomed its response which stated: “South Lanarkshire Council should give further consideration to outlining more clearly the educational benefits for children, young people and their parents. Greater background detail on the rolls and capacities of the secondary schools will assist the community. This will help stakeholders to better understand the potential pressures facing schools in the future and how actions taken now can mitigate against these.”
Councillors at the Executive Committee meeting next month will make the ultimate decision and are invited to review responses from the consultation and Education Resources.
The committee will also vote to implement the proposed catchment realignment of Newton Farm and Hallside Primary Schools, including altering the secondary school those pupils in the rezoned area would attend from Uddingston Grammar School to Cathkin High School.
In addition to this, the committee will also be asked to approve the proposals in the report which state: ‘ any current catchment child attending Newton Farm Primary School during school session 22/23 and living in the proposed rezoned area for Hallside Primary School will have the right to remain at Newton Farm Primary School. These pupils will then be offered the option of attending either Uddingston Grammar School or Cathkin High School regardless of any catchment change. Thereafter, any further younger siblings enrolling in P1 in respect of school sessions August 2023 through to August 2028 will have the option to enrol at Newton Farm Primary School and have the right to attend Uddingston Grammar School.’
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