THE future of Shawhead Primary School is in “jeopardy” after a vital bus service was axed.
That was the warning from Terregles parents who send their children to the school.
A quarter of the primary’s pupils will not return after the summer break following the council decision to cut the mini-bus service run since the closure of Terregles Primary in 1983.
But parents received a letter last week from education director Colin Grant telling them of the termination.
They were told that the four affected pupils would need to attend Laurieknowe Primary from August 25, as they live within the school’s catchment area. Shawhead Primary’s role will drop from 16 to 12.
Karen Cowan’s 11-year-old daughter Michaela uses the bus.
The 44-year-old said: “I’m seriously disappointed. The future of the school has been put in jeopardy. I think this is their way of trying to close the school.”
The letter also told parents that they would need to make their own transport arrangements.
Emma Jahn’s six-year-old daughter Jennifer goes to the school and her four-year-old daughter Emily was due to start in August. She said: “I’m very shocked by what’s happened.
“I went to Shawhead Primary myself and if I had to move my daughter it will cause disruption to her learning.”
Director of education Colin Grant said: “Parents in Terregles who have chosen to send their child to Shawhead Primary School have received free transport to the school on a grace and favour basis, due to the availability of bus transport at a minimal cost.
“Unfortunately the council now has to withdraw this as the number of children entitled to free transport has dropped and a bus is no longer required to transport them.”
