Representatives from MRSAG are meeting with members of Midlothian Council on 26 April to discuss the rural school closures. A document detailing the campaign issues was presented to the council members and is available to download here or read below.

Midlothian Rural Schools Action Group
Meeting with Midlothian Councillors
Monday 26th April

1. Introduction
2. The way forward
3. Children and Education
4. Buildings
5. Finances
6. Information
7. PPP
8. Political
9. Community and Farming

The aim of this document is to suggest a way forward for the future of rural schools in Midlothian. It summarises the main reasons why these schools should not be closed. From the outset we welcome this initiative by Midlothian Council to improve the school estate throughout the county. We agree that doing nothing with some of the schools highlighted in the proposal is not an option for the council. However, we believe the proposal in its present form does not consider all of the issues, is misleading, and concentrates too heavily on PPP and many points are unsubstantiated.

The evidence we have gathered provides overwhelming proof that there is no reason to close the schools. Either because of the condition or cost of running the buildings, the quality of the education or that the rural communities will not be adversely affected by the closure of an important community asset.

We want a long term sustainable future for Midlothian's rural schools that will continue to provide a 21st century education for pupils of all abilities and backgrounds. The schools will continue to be the heart of the community enabling economic and community growth in a vibrant rural Scotland.

We wish the Council to:

• Stop the imminent closure of the rural schools.
• Comply with the "Midlothian Local Plan" and "Midlothian Moving Forward"; by involving the community in planning and revitalisation of run down urban communities and the revitalisation of the rural communities
• Set up a Rural Schools Working Party consisting of key stakeholders with the aim to develop a plan to achieve the long-term sustainability of Midlothian's rural schools.
• Prepare and agree a joint press statement on the way forward.
• Provide a guarantee that no pupil will be moved into temporary accommodation, a school which is not in physically good condition or a school that is being built, or will be subject to multiple moves.

Why should the Council keep the rural schools open?

• Despite continued requests to the Education departments we have not been provided with any evidence that 2-stream education with bigger class sizes is better for the pupils.
• Attainment in rural Midlothian schools remains higher than average. The Scottish Executive reports on SQA data for 2003 states that rural pupils perform better.
• There is overwhelming evidence that small class sizes are better for curricular and social benefits. A recent Ofsted report highlights the educational benefits to children in schools of under 50 pupils.
• There is no evidence that pupils moving from a rural school into large secondary schools are at any disadvantage.
• Citizenship is a strong ethos in all rural schools.
• The council would be in breach of Standards in Scotland's Schools. Act 2000 by transferring the children to larger classes and inferior buildings, as there is no proven benefit to children's education.

• Overall the rural schools are not, as claimed, a 'maintenance time bomb'.
• There are no major issues with improving the Schools to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act
• The buildings are fit for purpose in meeting the needs of the curriculum and social development although some improvements could be made.
• The new surveys produced following commencement of the consultation period are very general and still have inaccuracies in content and costings.

• From the limited information that has been made available to us the rural schools could be run more efficiently and some have had considerable investment spent on them recently.
• Are the councillors sure that the full transport costs, the reduction in council tax revenue as the areas become retirement homes, and knock on effect to local businesses and farms has been taken in to account.
• Financially, the removal of capping and a proposed new development in the rural areas would make the schools even more viable.
• Private finance option is a short-term fix with the true cost hidden over a 30 year period. The rural schools are good stock for the future and the Council should limit the number of schools that are tied up with various PPP packages.

• The public have been misled as to why the schools are being closed. The information supplied in the cabinet paper, the notification leaflet, and the minutes of the public meetings are inaccurate and inadequate.
• Have the councillors had access to the full long-term financial calculations and the educational evidence that backs up the closure of these schools? The school boards and the public have not yet seen the evidence. Do the councillors feel comfortable making such an important decision on the basis of such limited and inaccurate information?

• The completion dates indicated in the PPP package are impossible to achieve when compared with other PPP2 programmes and the fact that PPP Contractors will qualify their tenders to enable sequential construction i.e. they will not want to start foundations in December 2005 and complete all 7 schools in 2006. There is less capacity in the industry, Amey, Ballast Wiltshier, and fewer contractors bidding. This means escalating prices and no guarantee that the Final Business Case, when submitted to the Scottish Executive, Audit Scotland and Partnerships UK, will be affordable.
• The consultation period has highlighted some serious concerns about the basic information and costing for the whole schools programme. The confidence of the Executive in Midlothian Council's capability to deliver a complex PPP2 package and other school developments will be questioned. This will cause delays in the final business proposal being agreed and may jeopardise any PPP2 or future 3 initiatives.
• The PPP funding is to provide capital for new buildings. There are clearly some schools that require immediate attention and the council should concentrate on getting that right.
• The best date for completion of the new schools you are proposing to move our children to is December 2006. This is still very optimistic and may be at the earliest August 2007. Why close the rural schools now causing distress and disruption for the children. These same children may also be caught up in any PPP3 funding refurbishments.
• Is the council confident that there will be sufficient developer contribution available in the future? Developers stand to lose considerable revenue on the value of house sales if there is no local community school.

• Labour's UK manifesto is to support rural sustainability and regeneration. This has been supported and promoted by Scotland's First Minister.
• There is cross party support from all MSPs, MP and MEP, that these rural schools should not close.
• Peter Peacock the Education Minister recently stated – "A one size fits all approach is simply not appropriate". He also said "Greater flexibility opens up more choices, tailoring education to the diverse needs of every child". He goes on to say "cutting classes at key stages ensures parents are better engaged with schools and their child's education". The closure of the rural schools in preference to large two stream schools is against this policy.
• The Council will be in breach of the Education (Scotland) Act 1981 and the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000 by closing these schools and not providing a better alternative for these children.
• Parental choice- The Education (Scotland) 1980 Act, Section 28(1), 'In the exercise and performance of their powers and duties under this Act, the Secretary of State and education authorities shall have regard to the general principle that, so far as is compatible with the provision of suitable instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.'
• In a UK context Midlothian council will be closing more rural schools in one go than England and Wales has closed in the past few years.
• If Midlothian closes 5 of the better achieving schools this will firmly root the Council at the bottom of Scotland's educational league table.
• Other Scottish Councils have reviewed options and spent longer in consultation with the public when faced with such decisions.
• This has been a highly publicised national campaign – everyone is watching to see what Midlothian will do, it is the chance for councillors to be revolutionary and creative and lead Scotland on rural sustainability.

• The proposals impact immediately on 179 pupils and 350 parents or guardians. However, over 5,000 signatures were submitted to the Scottish Parliament, more than 15 times the number directly affected. People want their community schools.
• The schools really are at the heart of our communities. Remove the schools and our communities will diminish. Young families will not want to stay or move into the area. Local nursery/playgroup numbers will dwindle and then cease to run.
• The schools are used by the communities as a meeting place, to hold special events, lifelong learning opportunities and volunteering.
• There are approximately 60 farms in Midlothian. These farms are key to the rural economy and employment. Already farmers have difficulty attracting workers. Local schools are a major incentive for farmers to offer their employees. Farmers with young children do not have the option to relocate.
• There has been no rural impact study on how school closures will effect the communities or the overall economic effect on Midlothian.