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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Officials recommend closures of four schools on Skye | Officials recommend closures of four schools on Skye |
| (less than a minute earlier) | |
| Education officials have recommended that councillors push ahead with plans to close four primary schools on Skye and replace them with one new building. | Education officials have recommended that councillors push ahead with plans to close four primary schools on Skye and replace them with one new building. |
| Highland Council has proposed shutting Edinbane, Dunvegan, Knockbreck and Struan primaries. | Highland Council has proposed shutting Edinbane, Dunvegan, Knockbreck and Struan primaries. |
| A new school would be built at Dunvegan which officials said would offer pupils more opportunities. | A new school would be built at Dunvegan which officials said would offer pupils more opportunities. |
| Public consultation on the plans suggested strong support for the small schools to remain open. | Public consultation on the plans suggested strong support for the small schools to remain open. |
| Councillors will be asked to support the closures at a meeting on 14 January. | Councillors will be asked to support the closures at a meeting on 14 January. |
| Education officials have said that bringing together the children in a new school would give them more chances to mix with other pupils of a similar age and ability. | Education officials have said that bringing together the children in a new school would give them more chances to mix with other pupils of a similar age and ability. |
| The larger school would also help with the development of Gaelic-medium education. | The larger school would also help with the development of Gaelic-medium education. |
| The officials said that for some children getting to school would involve a 40-mile (64km) journey, but added that this was not unique in a Highland context. | The officials said that for some children getting to school would involve a 40-mile (64km) journey, but added that this was not unique in a Highland context. |
| 'Important safeguards' | 'Important safeguards' |
| The public consultation on the proposals was criticised earlier this year. | The public consultation on the proposals was criticised earlier this year. |
| SNP MSP Dave Thompson and parents raised concerns about whether the council was following new legislation. | SNP MSP Dave Thompson and parents raised concerns about whether the council was following new legislation. |
| Highland Council said at the time it was aware of the concerns and would respond to parents in due course. | Highland Council said at the time it was aware of the concerns and would respond to parents in due course. |
| New rules on school closures came into force across Scotland in August to provide "important safeguards" for rural communities. | New rules on school closures came into force across Scotland in August to provide "important safeguards" for rural communities. |
| Local authorities are required to carry out more rigorous consultation, especially before shutting rural schools | Local authorities are required to carry out more rigorous consultation, especially before shutting rural schools |
| Evidence for proposed closures must be provided, and consultations should include clear, accurate information including financial costs. | Evidence for proposed closures must be provided, and consultations should include clear, accurate information including financial costs. |
| The changes are part of the Children and Young People Act, passed in February. | The changes are part of the Children and Young People Act, passed in February. |
| The act also gives communities the right to challenge any inaccuracies in proposals. | The act also gives communities the right to challenge any inaccuracies in proposals. |
| If closure plans are rejected, the school concerned cannot be considered for closure for five years. | If closure plans are rejected, the school concerned cannot be considered for closure for five years. |
| The Scottish government has provided councils with guidance about the changes. | The Scottish government has provided councils with guidance about the changes. |