News / Parents urge u-turn
PARENTS in the north of Shetland are urging the local authority to throw out proposals to close Urafirth primary school when they meet in early November.
The school’s parent council said the community had lost all confidence in the process.
Shetland Islands Council is consulting on closing two (Urafirth and North Roe) of the three primary schools in Northmavine and educate all local bairns in the primary school in Ollaberry instead.
Last month parents in the area lodged a formal complaint after what they describe as a “blatant breach” of data protection during the consultation process.
Urafirth parent council chairwoman Claire Herridge said the entire community was shocked by the experience and added that the resulting consultation document had left them with a feeling of not having been listened to.
“In Urafirth we have a fantastic purpose-built school that provides a first class education for the growing number of bairns in this community.
“We are horrified at the council’s proposal to close such a tremendous facility at a time when we are seeing young families moving into the area bringing prosperity back to this remote part of Shetland.
“The education department’s proposal to close Urafirth and North Roe primary schools is misguided and the consultation process has not taken into account our serious concerns,” she said.
She said Shetland Islands Council had not taken into account the upsurge in the local economy, the arrival of many young families in the area and the resulting projected increase in the school roll.
Another major concern were the potential travel times for young bairns from outlying areas.
“The pick up points are inconvenient and unsafe, and reaching them will take a long time for some children whether they walk, get a lift or catch a feeder service, all of which will take many beyond the maximum 40 minute travel time,” she said.
“We urge councillors to support our remote rural communities by keeping our schools open, rather than undermining us at a time when we are getting back on our feet again.
“The money the council will save will be insignificant in comparison to the damage that will be done to this area.”
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