Parents of pupils at Invergowrie Primary will discuss potential next steps after it was decided a full consultation would be carried out into Harris Academy’s catchment area.
Dundee City councillors decided last month to investigate reshaping the boundaries, including the removal of Perth and Kinross Council-run Invergowrie Primary from Harris Academy’s catchment area, despite being separated by just two miles.
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Pupils would face a 40-mile round trip to get to Perth High School from August 2021, more than an hour’s travel time per day.
Formal consultation on the redrawing of Harris Academy’s catchment will start next week.
John Swinney MSP will meet with parents to try and work out a solution. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has arranged a public meeting for parents which will be hosted at Invergowrie Parish Church on Friday at 6.30pm.
Mr Swinney has been in talks with Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council and had planned to meet parents before the Dundee City Council meeting at which catchment review was confirmed. He postponed the meeting until the plans had been signed off.
He said: “I am concerned by these proposals and about the negative impact they will have on pupils and families based in Invergowrie.
“Historically, Invergowrie pupils have attended Harris Academy. This is a sensible arrangement that recognises the unique circumstances that Invergowrie pupils face regarding access to secondary education.
“As a result of this tradition, and the village’s geographical location, pupils from Invergowrie have formed close ties to Dundee and to Harris Academy specifically.
“I am concerned therefore that the proposed change to the catchment area will cause significant unrest and worry to parents and pupils alike.
“Indeed, the current proposals will lead to a situation where older siblings are enrolled in Harris Academy but their brothers and sisters will be forced to undertake a daily 40 mile round trip to Perth. It is difficult to see how such an arrangement will benefit families in Invergowrie.
“I am pleased that the views of my constituents were given due consideration at the previous council meeting, and I am hopeful that this signals a willingness by Dundee City Council to fully engage with Invergowrie parents going forward.
“I have already spoken to several constituents regarding this situation, but I am keen to hear from as many voices as possible.”
