News / School closure panel
INTERESTED in when schools are called in after a local council decides to close them?
The Scottish government is looking for candidates in the highlands and islands to apply for 10 seats on a new independent panel that will make the final decision on school closures.
Next April the new panel will take over responsibility from the government for reviewing cases called in by ministers after a council has decided to close a school as part of the new Children and Young People (Scotland) Act.
The panel will be able to give consent to the closure, refer it back to the local authority or refuse consent.
Scottish education secretary Michael Russell said: “This is a welcome change to the legislation as it ensures the final decision on a school closure proposal which has been called in will be taken by an independent panel.
“I would encourage people from all professions and backgrounds to apply for these positions and, while knowledge of the education sector or regulatory systems would be of benefit, full training will be given to all panel members.
“Clearly, local authorities are best placed to consider how to deliver services across their communities and sometimes it is necessary to close a school. However, the new legislation strengthens and increases transparency in these far-reaching decisions, and the School Closure Review Panel has a very important role to play.”
The closing date for applications is 5 December and more information can be found here.
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