SMITH RAISES CONCERN OVER CANONGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL

3.07.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jun 2007

Iain Smith, MSP for North East Fife has written to Kenneth Greer, Head of Education Services at Fife Council raising concerns about the findings of a report by HM Inspectorate of Education on Canongate Primary School. The report highlights a number of weaknesses. These include problems concerning the increase in numbers resulting from the closure of Langlands Primary School last year which saw pupils who would formerly have attended Langlands being sent to Canongate.

Mr Smith said:

"The closure of Langlands Primary School and the merger of its catchment area with Canongate Primary would appear to have had a direct negative impact on the quality of education received by the children from both schools. I have asked the Head of Education at Fife Council for his comments and I will take stock of the situation when I hear from him."

He added:

"I have also written to the Headteacher and staff at the Canongate and I have congratulated them on the positive aspects of the report. I have no doubt that the situation would be far worse without their hard work over this difficult period".