Transport provided to help pair of pupils attend Castle Douglas High rather than Dalry School

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Transport is to be provided to allow two pupils to attend Castle Douglas High rather than classes at Dalry School. Members of the council’s education and learning committee agreed to the “urgent request” even though the potential mothballing of Dalry has been paused.

Dalry School offers classes through to fourth year, with pupils then attending Castle Douglas High School for S5 and S6. However, many parents opt to send their children to Castle Douglas for the start of their secondary school education, leading the roll at Dalry to fall.

Education boss Gillian Brydson told the meeting: “There have been many requests over many years. “We have always been of the view that Dalry School is open, it is their catchment and if they wish their child to attend another school it is their responsibility to transport the child.” However, with the new timetable due to start on June 4, she said there had been “urgent requests” to provide transport for two children to go to Castle Douglas.

She highlighted the council’s school transport policy, which states that “where a school roll has fallen, and there are concerns over the opportunities for peer learning, transport may be offered to an alternative school”.