Protestors unite to save village primary
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RESIDENTS in Portgordon have staged a protest in support of their village school.
Proposals, which emerged a fortnight ago, to merge it with Cluny Primary, in Buckie, have left the community reeling.
Many showed their concern by staging a rally to declare their support for the school.
More than 700 locals have already signed against the merger plans put forward by an education consultancy company commissioned by Moray Council to review the region’s school system,
Elaine Wilson, treasurer of the Friends of Portgordon Primary School Parent Council, said: "We were all shocked when Caledonian Economics published its report.
"Everyone presumed that the merger had been ruled out as an option because it would put Cluny over capacity, but now we find out that this initial suggestion has hardened into a recommendation.
"With all the plans for new homes in the village, if anything, the school needs extending rather than closing.
"It’s a wonderful village school that does far better than the national average. The children area safe and can play out here. Go further afield and that isn’t always the case.
"The building has stood for 160 years, and will stand for another 160 if the money is spent to maintain it properly.
"It’s true that it does need some rewiring work, but we’re not talking about drastic costs.
"The school has recently been equipped with broadband and just three years ago it got a brand new roof."
There are also wider concerns about the damage the school’s closure could cause the village.
Ms Wilson added: "The children use the community hall for assembly and for gym classes. So if the school closes then the village will probably also lose that as well.
"Portgordon doesn’t have many facilities as it is. This could mean the death knell for the village.
"For the amount of money we’re talking it just makes no sense."
