Consultation on proposals to discontinue education provision at St Margaret's RC Primary School

Proposal for consultation

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Introduction

• The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places a legislative duty on the council to make adequate and efficient provision of school education across its area. This duty applies in respect of both the current school population and anticipated pattern of demand.
•  Section 3D of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 (as inserted by Section 2 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016) introduces a requirement on education authorities to carry out their duty to ensure the delivery of improvement in the quality of school education which is provided in the schools they manage, with a view to achieving the strategic priorities of the National Improvement Framework. It is, therefore, the duty of the education authority to ensure that the education it provides is directed to the development of the personality, talents and the mental and physical abilities of the children to their fullest potential. 
• In addition, councils have a statutory duty to secure best value in terms of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 by continuous improvement in performance of the local authority’s functions, while maintaining an appropriate balance between quality and cost and having regard to economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equal opportunities and the achievement of sustainable development. 

Midlothian’s Vision for Education

The council is ambitious for the future of Midlothian. The Vision for Midlothian is a Great Place to Grow. The Community Planning Partnership has identified Carbon Neutral by 2030 as an overarching aim supported by 3 main priorities:

• Reducing inequalities in learning outcomes
• Reducing inequalities in health outcomes
• Reducing inequalities in economic circumstances

We continue to aspire to deliver a world-class education system through equity and excellence. Our vision is to provide the highest quality inclusive education, learning and employability service for all individuals and families in Midlothian. To realise this vision we will support the priorities set out in the Single Midlothian Plan, Getting it Right for Every Child and will:

• give all our children the best possible start in life, providing an inclusive learning environment that builds resilience;
• ensure that every young person has the opportunity to be a successful learner, confident individual, responsible citizen and an effective contributor who is healthy and happy, especially those who are care experienced;
• work with our communities to promote high expectations which deliver the best educational outcomes for all learners; and
• Celebrate diversity, reduce inequalities and remove barriers to learning.

Our context

Midlothian’s population is projected to grow by 8% over the next 6 years with significant growth projected across our early years and school age population.

In 2020/21 there were:

• 7,946 pupils in primary schools;
• 5,429 pupils in secondary schools;
• 53% children accessing 600 hours, across 2 nursery schools; nursery classes in 26 primary schools; 33 partner providers with whom we commission ELC places and 50 childminders
•  47% children accessing 1140 hours, across 2 nursery schools; nursery classes in 26 primary schools; 33 partner providers with whom we commission ELC places and 50 childminders
• 10 specialist provisions, with approximately 210 children and young people attending;
•  29.03% of children and young people with Additional Support Needs;
• 3.15% of children and young people recorded as care experienced;
• 11.35% living in most deprived areas compared with 15.08% living in least deprived areas. 
• A pupil-teacher ratio of 18.83 in primary and 12.66 in secondary
• 22 school buildings reported as condition A (good), 11 schools reported as condition B (satisfactory) and 7 schools reported as condition C (poor). No schools are reported as condition D (Bad).