Councillor slams 'lamentable' pace of progress on special school building project in Dingwall as St Clement's campaigners and MSP ask for action
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PRESSURE is mounting for action on long-delayed plans to replace a "totally unsuitable" special needs school catering for some of the most vulnerable children in the Highlands.
In the week that a new state of the art secondary opened in Alness, and plans for a multi-million pound campus in Tain edged closer, parents of pupils at St Clement's in Dingwall have asked: 'What about us?'
Despite widespread praise for the amazing job done by staff, the condition of the building – described by shocked local MSP Kate Forbes as "Dickensian" and "not fit for purpose" by Ross-shire based children's minister, Maree Todd – has prompted repeated calls for action.
Campaigners say they are tired of platitudes and want to know why a promised consultation has failed to materialise.
A meeting of the full council today will consider the £481 million five year capital plan – which does not include St Clement's.
The school was already notorious for its poor physical condition but it is understood that Covid infection-control measures have made matters worse for pupils and staff.
The proposals along with a designated site are essential to bid for Scottish Government funding – something it is understood the council has yet to do.
Local councillor Graham Mackenzie, a former Dingwall Academy rector, said: "The pace of the council's development of proposals to replace St Clement's has been frankly lamentable. The parents were promised a plan by the chief executive and others by the end of last year, then it was moved to the start of this year and still we don't have sight of anything.
"To bid for Scottish Government funding - which is the only way a school like this gets built at all - you have to have well-advanced proposals including a site. It has to be close to shovel ready, and we are not there.”
Christyna Fergusson, who has led the parent council’s campaign for a new school, said: “All the Highland Council have to do is show genuine intent. What is the Highland Council’s intention for St.Clement's? There has been no communications or updates from the council since February 4 so we can only assume that no work has been done to move forward with a new school build.
“We are also concerned that significantly more work has been done to progress other schools than has been done for St.Clement's.”
MSP Kate Forbes said: “Parents have long campaigned for a new school for St Clement's, for good reason. The school is completely unsuitable for children with additional support needs.
“Parents were promised a consultation last year – we’re nearing the end of 2020 with no consultation in sight. The fact that St Clement's isn’t even on the capital paper will add insult to injury as parents plead for support and recognition of the truly horrendous state of the school.
“I have written to the council asking what has become of the consultation and when parents can expect to see progress.”
A Highland Council spokesperson did not reveal any information about what stage the school plan had reached. Regarding conditions , it said pupil wellbeing is a "top priority".
It said: “Along with all schools, St Clement's follows Scottish Government guidance for operating during this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Risk assessments are in place to meet the needs of pupils and keep them as safe as possible."
Related: Parents of children voice concerns over pace of progress
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