Castlebrae Community High School Consultation

Updated 10 January 2013

The period for commenting on the proposals detailed below has now closed. Thank you for all who participated.

It is expected that the Consultation Report will be available here on 21 February 2013, three weeks before it is considered by Elected Members at the City of Edinburgh Council meeting on Thursday 14 March 2013.

Record of Public Meetings

During the consultation we were asked to release the records of the four public meetings held, once availble. Records of all four meetings have now been approved by the Independent Chair and can be downloaded below.

1. Approved Record of Public Meeting held in Castlebrae Community High School on 13 November 2012 (PDF, 64KB)
   
2. Approved Record of Public Meeting held in Portobello Town Hall on 14 November 2012 (PDF, 75KB)
3. Approved Record of Public Meeting held in Liberton High School on 26 November 2012 (PDF, 264KB)
4. Approved Record of Public Meeting held in Holy Rood High School on 29 November 2012 (PDF, 265KB)
   

Previously published information

Proposals for the closure of Castlebrae Community High School

and associated catchment changes for Portobello High School and Liberton High School (Consultation runs 25 October - 7 December 2012)

The City of Edinburgh Council is consulting, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, on a proposal to close Castlebrae Community High School from the end of the 2012/13 school year and make changes to the local non-denominational secondary school catchment areas.

Consultation Proposal Paper

The full Consultation Proposal Paper details the proposals and the implications of it. The document also contains our Educational Benefits Statement, supporting data, information analysis and other background information relating to the proposal.

You can download a PDF (1.17MB) of the Consultation Proposal Paper, or use the Green Task button at the right hand side of this page to view all the available downloads relating to this consultation process.

The full Consultation Proposal Paper is also available in paper format.  Reference copies are available in Craigmillar Library (currently in the East Neighbourhood Office on Hays Drive), Portobello Library and Southside Library.  A copy is also available during office hours at the reception of the City of Edinburgh Council Headquarters, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG.

If you would like to pick up a paper copy of the Consultation Proposal Paper locally you will be able to collect one from Castlebrae Community High School, Portobello High School, Liberton High School, Holy Rood High School or any of their associated primary schools.You can also call 0131 469 3161, and ask for a copy of the Consultation Proposal Paper to be posted to you.

Alternatively you will find a summary of what is proposed and the implications of it outlined on the following pages, covering:

• The consultation process
• The proposals
• The reasons for the proposals
• Proposed changes to secondary catchment areas
• Implications for receiving schools
• Educational considerations
• Other considerations
• How to make your views known

Background to the consultation

Pupils in Castlebrae Community High School (CCHS) continue to experience very poor educational outcomes and, with the smallest secondary roll in the city of 196 pupils (an occupancy level of 33%) which is expected to fall as low as 158 in 2015, the position is not sustainable.

It is estimated that the other secondary schools in the local area could accommodate both the existing and future school roll from the CCHS catchment area up to around 2020 and the majority of pupils living in this area already choose to attend other local schools.

In light of this, we have carefully considered the school's future and have established a case to consult on its closure in July 2013.  While the proposals offer pupils places at particular schools, parents will continue to be able to apply, in the first instance, for an alternative school if places are available.

Maintaining the status quo, and keeping Castlebrae Community High School open, is not specifically given as an option but the City of Edinburgh Council could ultimately decide on this course of action if it wishes.