King's Park Secondary School
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KING'S PARK SECONDARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING: 6th December 2011 PRESENT: APOLOGIES: Colin Towler Greg Kousourou Marjorie Sinclair Seonaid MacRae Margaret Logan Fiona McGovern Margaret Barr Linda Parrott Simon Bates Jordan Livingston Louise Kinloch Katie Matheson Lynne Morris Zoe Kean June Wells (Clerk) Alistair Henderson – in attendance 1. APOLOGIES Simon introduced Alistair Henderson from Education Services and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Seonaid MacRae, Greg Kousourou, Fiona McGovern, Linda Parrott, Jordan Livingston and Katie Matheson. 2. CATCHMENT AREA – ALISTAIR HENDERSON Alistair Henderson had attended to talk about the catchment area and the consultation paper leading up to these changes. He apologised for the delay in feedback and left a copy of the report for our information. The report looked at the falling school roles within Holmlea, Simshill and Merrylee primary schools and the issue of refurbishment of these schools to bring them in line with current legislation, eg Disability Discrimination Act. The conclusion of the report was that Homlea and Simshill were to close and a new build for Merrylee was to take place at Friarton Road. As Merrylee was in the Hillpark Learning Community and Holmlea and Simshill within King's Park New Learning Community, the delineation of catchment areas became an issue. Alistair explained that after this consultation a Scottish Government consultation took place, which effectively meant that any future consultation proposed would cost around £20,000 per consultation. Therefore to propose changes to the catchment area to take account of the loss of feeder schools for King's Park alone would be too costly. The Parent Council wished to address the issue of pupils attending Merrylee to be able to attend King's Park, without a placing request, to continue. The current situation will cease in 2012. There was also the problem of transition from primary to secondary school. At the moment most Merrlylee pupils go onto Hillpark Secondary, with the transition focus on that. Parents living near to King's Park Secondary are shocked to find they will in future have to put in a placing request for their children. There was much discussion. Alistair said that as King's Park was not at full capacity placing requests would not be refused. Margaret Barr agreed with this. Zoe stated that it was unfair to be held to a decision made in 2005 which meant that the building of King’s Park Secondary actually sits in the catchment area for Hillpark Secondary. Alistair explained that no funds were available to change this due to the consultation costs. There was further discussion on the promised consultation on catchment areas before both Holmlea and Simshill closed. This never took place. Colin explained that the closing of the primary schools has had a huge impact on the demographic mix of pupils attending King's Park. Alistair then asked in what way Education Services could help with the situation. Zoe suggested that it should be made known to parents of children at Merrylee, right from when they start in P1, that Merrylee shares two secondary schools, and that a choice can be made for either one, and that it is King’s Park Secondary Parent Council page 1 not a foregone conclusion they will eventually go to Hillpark. She asked that King's Park be on equal footing with Hillpark in this regard, especially for the children living in the former catchment areas of Holmlea and Simshill Primary Schools. Margaret Barr asked if she could have more interaction with primary pupils and parents before P7, if they were likely to transfer to King’s Park. For example, King's Park holds a science day each year for P6 pupils within our catchment area and she would like to be able to invite the Merrylee pupils in the former Holmlea/Simshill catchment areas. We have a very good relationship with Merrylee at present. There is a lot of involvement with Croftfoot, King's Park, Mount Florida and Toryglen Primary Schools before P7 and we would like some official authority to allow us to do this with Merrylee Primary. There was also concern that parents, with children at Merrylee, are not always aware that King's Park can be considered as a secondary school of choice. Even parents who live close to the school are unaware of this. Parents should be allowed to get to know King's Park before the issue of placing requests comes up. From next year, placing requests will have to be made for pupils to attend King's Park and Margaret will no longer have an automatic right to speak to Merrylee parents of children from the former Holmlea/Simshill catchment areas. Alistair accepted that the first point of transition should not take place in P7. He suggested that Merrylee is approached with the possibility of dividing the catchment area geographically. With areas over 2.2 miles the Education Department would pay the transport costs of getting pupils to Hlllpark. There was then much discussion on the constraints of a lower school roll – the number of teaching staff was reducing, and the school was being very innovative in keeping a wide choice of subjects in the upper school. Alistair stated that lower school rolls were not restricted to King's Park. He will look into this and compare King's Park with the city average. There is an increase in P1 pupils for 2012 but this will not follow through to secondary schools for another seven years. The question of changing the distance before transport costs could be granted from 2 to 3 miles was raised. Alistair explained there had been a huge outcry about this and it was reversed and did not take place. It was moved from 2 miles to 2.2 miles last year. Margaret Logan stated that costs, over the years, could be substantial if Education Services had to supply transport for pupils to attend Hillpark. This was a valid consideration as there are no direct transport services from here to Hillpark. In conclusion, Alistair said he would speak to Morag Gunion, Area Manager for the South Education Area. He agreed that transition was important and that pupils living near King’s Park Secondary who will transfer to King’s Park Secondary, must not be disadvantaged. At present placing requests are discussed with primary school parents towards the end of December. This can be brought forward to August, and King's Park could be offered as an alternative to Hillpark for children living nearby. Everyone agreed that future consultation was not viable, due to cost implications. He agreed that pupils at Merrylee should know about King's Park and what it has to offer, and that this should take place from P1. It was also queried whether the primary school handbook for Merrylee stated King's Park as a potential secondary school option for pupils in our area. Colin then asked Alistair if they could briefly discuss the Janitor's House. Alistair explained that it was deemed surplus to requirements and passed onto Access. They would have checked any other possible uses, but none found. At present it is excess property and will not be put up for sale due to economic climate. As things change and other property sells, possibly Simshill plot, this may free up funds to allow demolition. This was a possibility but still uncertain. It was felt the property being sold to a private developer was not a good option. The school would much rather it was used for school purposes – ie refurbished as a teaching, eg plumbing, electrical work etc. Alistair explained that no-one is saying no to this but, as ever, it all comes down to cost. We would need proposals and costings for this to go forward. Since it was highly unlikely that funds could be found for this, the property should be demolished, with the access to electricity, water and plumbing kept intact. Simon asked who was responsible for this property and Alistair said it was the Council. As Alistair had not viewed the property he was unable to comment in any depth. Margaret Barr suggested asking the Council to use boards to hide the building. It was a real eyesore for the local community. She also suggested potentially painting the building. Alistair suggested that possible artwork could be looked at. He will feedback on mural idea. Funds are given to Historical Justice so this may a possibility. He will approach them and let us know the outcome. King’s Park Secondary Parent Council page 2 The meeting thanked Alistair for his attendance and support. Alistair left the meeting at this point. There was then some discussion on Alistair's attendance. It was felt it had been informative and helpful. It was unsure if anything had actually moved forward but would wait for feedback and see. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved by Marjorie and seconded by Colin. 4. SCHOOL REPORT Margaret Logan reported: M Logan, M Barr and 3 pupils had attended a presentation in Marks and Spencer Argyle Street store regarding their new service for school uniform. On the M&S website, there would be a dedicated page for King’s Park, and large stocks should ensure delivery within 2 days. Prices would be the same as in-store, including additional offers (eg 3 for 2). The school would receive 5% of all sales. She proposed that the 5% could be used to keep stocks of school uniform in school, eg if a parent needed a bit of support, or if a group of pupils were representing the school and might need new white school shirts, or sports tops etc.