At the Luss meeting on 12th November 2010, the primary school children were part of the debate. They asked central and poignant questions.
- ‘Will we still be with our friends if we have to go to Helensburgh?’ The answer is no. In a small rural school, they work and play together. Hermitage Academy has 400 primary pupils, taught, of course, in fully staffed year groups. The Luss children will now be allocated to each of their specific year groups and will find themselves in a minority in strange circumstances.
- ‘What will happen to our teachers if our school is closed?‘ Jackie Baillie asked: ‘Do you want them to stay with you?’Vigorous nod of assent. ‘What? All of them?’ Equally vigorous nod of assent.
- ‘What will happen to the buildings if our school gets shut?’ Universal shrugs.
Many parents spoke of the real distress the children are suffering in all of this. Most young children assume certainty and continuity in their lives. The discovery that so fundamental an upheaval as removal from their school and their community is under discussion is demonstrably destabilising. The Luss children are said to be apprehensive and upset.
Councillor Morton has, as both a mother and a former teacher, been through school closures and understands sharply what it means for all concerned. She talked of her real concern at the damage to young children in this process – as did Jackie Baillie in respect of her own children.
Has anyone consulted the children in all of this? This raises the issue of their role in the consultation process.
We have a suggestion to make here. Councillor Mary Jean Devon form Mull is he Council’s ‘Children’s Champion’.
If ever there were a need for a Children’s Champion in Argyll and Bute, it is now. She may not need to be empowered to engage that role in the school closure process but if she does, it should be done at once. She is their natural advocate.
