SAVE OUR SCHOOL !

Dumfries and Galloway Council are currently considering the closure of Carsphairn primary school.  This decision would be a tragic loss to our rural community, who have depended on the school for nearly 300 years (it was established in 1723).  The school and nursery were 'mothballed' in 2019 due to falling enrolments, however, since then numbers of children have increased and returned to the average for the area.  This demographic trend continues still, with numerous new families arriving and babies born or expected soon. 

Despite many fluctuations in school roll numbers over the centuries, Carsphairn Primary has always served the community well, providing a great record of high quality education to all.  Pupils have gone on to thrive and exceed in all walks of life, with fond memories of their time spent at the school.  The immediate access to the wild and beautiful countryside of Carsphairn instils, through outdoor learning, an appreciation and respect for nature and the environment.  Also the relatively small class sizes allow more individual attention to each pupils needs, giving a personalised education experience and catering well for those with extra requirements.  The covid pandemic has shown that smaller schools have huge benefits when trying to lessen the spread of such virus outbreaks too.

The remote location of Carsphairn means the primary school caters for children spread over a very large area.  Closure of the facility would mean young children facing distances of up to 20 miles to the next available primary school.  There are a number of Carsphairn children already commuting long distances to other schools, due to their school being mothballed.  The ongoing cost of living increase and fuel poverty really show that having a school closely within the community is extremely important, meaning less distance driven each day and therefore less expensive motor fuels required for transport, not to mention the benefits this contributes to the environment by decreased fossil fuel consumption.

This petition will be used to help demonstrate to D&G Council that there is a strong interest and need to keep the school in use, now and into the future.  Saving this historic and valuable facility will help keep the community of Carsphairn thriving together and provide the best possible start for our younger generations.