Show councillors in Dumfries and Galloway that Wee Schools Still Matter!

The school model deems rural and small schools unsustainable.

20% of primary schools are at risk of closure in the near future. 

50% are at risk of closure in the next 5-15  years.

Small and rural schools are amazing - low pupil to teacher ratios, great attainment, strong community. But this model makes parents wary to choose them due to worries about closure.  Unless we act now it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and rural communities will suffer.

You will hear that this model is needed to save money. Our smallest rural schools (those with roll < 25 based on 2022/2023 data) account for around 3% of primary education spend in Dumfries and Galloway. 

Based on FOI data that we have obtained from the council the savings projected from school closures equate to employee costs - teachers, teaching assistants, clerical and facilities staff. Savings in relation to buildings are minimal outweighed by costs of transporting children to new catchment schools. 

We are saying very strongly that we want teachers for our children, in our communities, not taxis elsewhere.

We are calling on our elected members to:

Stop recommendations for mothballing / closure for rural and small schools

Stop recommendations to changes to school structure through reductions in number of classes

Where this is needed, decisions should be made by Partnership Headteachers (who already manage school budgets) and school communities. Teachers and Parents are the best judge of what is sustainable for their particular context and what is right for their children.

Acknowledge that the school model “consultation” did not directly engage with rural and small school communities, yet the model directly and disproportionately affects them.

Develop a new model, which recognises the rural character of our region, values rural and small schools and embeds education IN rural communities

Wherever you live in Dumfries and Galloway, this affects you. What do we want our region to look like in the future, what job and education opportunities do you want for your children? 

Sign our petition and show our councillors and the education department that wee schools still matter!