Kennedy backs Gairloch high school campaigners after packed meeting

8 September 2009

Ross, Skye & Lochaber Lib Dem MP Charles Kennedy has given his backing to campaigners seeking to safeguard teaching staff numbers at Gairloch High School, after attending a packed public meeting to discuss the issue last night (Monday).

Following the meeting, local MP Charles Kennedy said:Charles Kennedy MPCharles Kennedy MP

“The importance of Gairloch High School and other small rural high schools to the life of the communities within their catchments can scarcely be underestimated.

“The current situation should be seen in the context of the change which has taken place from the days when the future of the school itself was far from secure, and pupils had to go to the hostel in Dingwall after their second year. The performance of the school today is a tribute to the commitment and vision of those who saw off the threat of closure and instead set about building the school up, as well as the hard work of present pupils, parents and staff.

“There is absolutely no doubt that the High School and the standard it achieves are now major factors in attracting families back to Wester Ross, and boosting economic activity right across the area.

“We need to look at long term funding arrangements to see whether they do enough to recognise that role. We also need to look at how smaller high schools can have enough flexibility to manage staff changes without disrupting their curriculum - recognising that stability is key to their success, and that small fluctuations in roll numbers should not undermine the funding available just because they represent a comparatively large proportion of the whole school.

“These are points which I will be taking up further with the Director of Education in Inverness in the hope of a positive outcome.

“The financial situation faced by all levels of Government is extremely difficult, but the council needs to listen to the communities it serves, and work with them to safeguard their priorities in the years ahead - both in the decisions it takes locally and in the approaches we make to the UK and Scottish Governments.”