Petition for Renovation of Our Lady of Peace School

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Members of the Community,

I am reaching out to seek your support in advocating for renovations at Our Lady of Peace School. While some efforts, such as repainting, and rewiring after repainting have been made recently, significant issues remain unaddressed. These directly affect the safety, comfort, and overall quality of the learning environment for our children.

Urgent Issues Needing Attention

Carpets: The carpets are heavily worn, stained, and unhygienic. They are well past their intended lifespan and emit unpleasant odors. We are requesting that all carpets be replaced with linoleum flooring, which is durable, easy to maintain, and better suited for a modern educational setting. The Linoleum of the corridors also needs to be replaced, along with the coat racks and the hooks should be adjusted to ensure the children have enough space and easy access to their belongings without causing clutter. With a proper assessment, this issue can be effectively resolved.

Sink Units: The units under the sinks and the double basin sinks and the units for extra storage  in classrooms are in critical condition. They are unsafe and no longer fit for purpose. We urgently call for their replacement to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Football Pitch: The current pitch is in poor condition, making it unsuitable for use in various weather conditions. This limits the children’s ability to engage in outdoor sports, an essential part of their physical development. We propose the pitch be upgraded to meet modern standards, ensuring it is usable year-round.

Gym/Lunch Hall Curtains: The large blue curtains separating the indoor gym hall from the lunch area are clearly worn out and require replacement. Upon closer inspection, it is evident that they are not securely attached to the curtain rods, posing a potential safety risk.

Legal Framework Supporting this Petition 

Scottish law sets clear standards that local councils must meet to ensure children are provided with safe, high-quality educational environments. The following legislation is particularly relevant:

Education (Scotland) Act 1980: Councils are required to provide and maintain adequate school facilities for both physical and academic development.

Example: The condition of the football pitch and gym hall curtains falls short of these requirements.

Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006: This act promotes active parental involvement in decisions related to school facilities and ensures a supportive learning environment.

Example: Parents and the wider community have concerns about unsafe and outdated infrastructure, yet these remain unresolved.

Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000: Every child is entitled to an education in an environment that supports their well-being and academic growth.

Example: Worn-out carpets, unsafe sink units, and damaged gym curtains compromise the quality of the environment, directly impacting children’s daily experiences.

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004: Facilities must meet the diverse needs of all pupils, including those requiring safe, accessible spaces.

Example: Poor flooring and inadequate fixtures create unnecessary barriers to learning for children with additional support needs.

Our Demands

We are calling on the council to:

Replace all carpets with linoleum flooring.

Replace the sink units in all classrooms with safe, modern alternatives.

Renovate the football pitch to meet modern standards and enable year-round use.

Replace the blue curtains in the gym/lunch hall with secure and durable new ones.

Call to Action

The council is legally obligated under the above legislation to provide and maintain facilities that ensure the safety and well-being of our children. We strongly urge the council to:

Fully assist in addressing these critical issues.

Take full responsibility and action to make these renovations a reality.

Provide expected start dates for the work and a timeline for completion to ensure transparency and accountability.

Your support is essential to make this happen. 

Join Us 

By signing this petition, you help amplify our voices and demonstrate to the council that the entire community stands united in demanding these much-needed improvements.

Together, we can create a better, safer, and more inspiring environment for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. Please sign the petition and share it widely within your network. Every signature brings us closer to making this vision a reality.

Thank you for your time, your support, and your commitment to improving Our Lady of Peace School for the benefit of all.