Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.

uk
Dear All

This information pack has been gathered together by the ‘Stenness Community School Action Group’.

We have included the following:

 A list of our concerns

 Contact details of all councillors
 Comments sheet
 Template letters
 Poster of Support

We know that as members of the community you may have other concerns that are different from those
enclosed and that some members of the community may feel that in light of the savings that need to be made,
the proposal to close Stenness Community School may appear on paper to be a painful but necessary option to
consider.

However, we would urge you to take some time to read the enclosed, to come to meetings and hear what we
have to share, to talk to members of the Group if you have any questions or get in touch through our email
address at the bottom of this page. We would then urge you to make your feelings known to councillors,
whatever they may be, to ensure that they have a comprehensive response from the community as a whole.

This proposal is due to be voted on at the next meeting of Full Council in 10 th May 2011 and if passed will go to
a further meeting for approval on 8th June 2011. If you want your feelings to be heard and counted, you will
need to say who you are clearly at the start of your letter i.e.:

 Community Association Members – that means everyone in Stenness as you are all members!
 Parent
 Pupil
 Relative
 Parents of pupils likely to attend the school
 Staff
 Community Council
 Parent Council

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

All comments to:

Leslie Manson
Director of Education and Leisure
Orkney Islands Council
School Place
Kirkwall
KW15 1NY

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education will be asked during the consultation stage to produce a report – your
comments to them will be taken into account. In particular they will be interested in the following so you may
wish to refer to these if you write:

 What viable alternatives have been explored as school closures are a last resort?
 How might the school role be increased i.e. through housing/Stromness students?
 Are there other management options?
 How could the buildings be more intensively used?
 What effect on the viability of the local community?
 Would the buildings and grounds still be accessible or lost to the community?
 Would closure encourage families to leave Stenness?
 Would closure discourage families from coming to Stenness?
 What impact would the closure have on other services provided locally?
 Is the community school the only remaining public building in the community?
 Is the community school the real hub of community life?
 Are the buildings used by others i.e. public meetings, local event, get togethers?
 What impact would closure have on access and transport for all users?
 Would bad weather impact on school attendance and access for the community?
 Will children benefit educationally from the closure of the Community School?

We will be posting a letter to ‘The Orcadian’ to give additional contact details for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of
Education. They will also count representations. If you do not say who you are in relation to Stenness
Community School, they will not count your letter!

We thank you in advance for any support, help or positive comments – this will keep our morale high and our
hopes of success for Orkney as a whole and the preservation of our community life.

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

 Stenness Community School – Summary of Campaign Group Concerns

We ask that Full Council delay or reject the proposal for a further evaluation of Stenness Community School for the
following reasons:

1. The timetable of this process is preventing the community and parents from being able to gather the necessary
information and make representations to council.

2. The initial report is inaccurate, omits relevant information and is unreliable.

3. The guidance statements are therefore misleading and do not provide the robust level of evidence on which
councillors can be expected to make an informed decision.

4. Timetable for Closure

a) Why is the timetable for such a sensitive proposal of school closures so fast?
b) Why was the deadline for notification of representations to Full Council on 10 th May 2011 before the meeting of the
Education and Leisure Committee meeting where the proposal was voted to be put before Full Council?
c) Why has the deadline for the evaluation been brought forward from September to June 8th 2011?
d) Why does the process allow insufficient time for freedom of information questions to be answered and evaluated?

5. Proposal Questions

a) Why were ‘community’ and ‘education’ not evaluated across all 22 schools?
b) Why were ‘community’ and ‘education’ as quality indicators not evaluated before financial costs?
c) Why were ‘community’ and ‘education’ not evaluated when they are the primary factors for Scottish Ministers when
considering closure of rural schools?
d) What actual savings are going to be made?
e) What if the wrong 3 schools have been identified because the information is incorrect?

6. School Questions

a) How can councillors know that the 3 schools identified are the 3 schools that should be evaluated further if the wrong
information has been included in the initial report?
b) Why are community schools with additional associated costs compared directly to non-community schools?
c) Why are schools that have nursery costs compared directly to schools that have no nursery?
d) Why are the nursery costs included in total budget but the numbers of children in the nursery not used in the
projected roll to reach the ‘indicative future costs per pupil’?
e) How have school capacity and school use been calculated across all 22 schools?
f) How will the council be able to demonstrate under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 that there will be
educational benefits for the children by closing the school in light of the current HMIE report for the main receiving
school?
g) Why is Stenness being considered for closure when it has the existing capacity to meet increased demand in the
school roll across Orkney?
h) Why is Stenness Community School being considered for closure when the building is in good order?

7. Community Association Questions

a) Why was the Community Association not contacted in the same way as the Parent Council to inform them of the
closure of the Community School?
b) What are the costs involved in drawing up a new legal agreement with the Community Association?
c) How easy will it be to separate the utilities for the Community Hall from the school?
d) What will the costs be in separating these utilities?
e) What uses are likely for the redundant school building when the integral Community Hall will still belong to the
community?
f) What are the likely uses of the ‘redundant’ school building when its open plan design limits its likely usefulness?
g) If a use cannot be found for the ‘redundant’ school area of the integral building, what will be the annual recurring
costs in maintaining the redundant school area of the integral building?

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

8. Community Questions

a) Why has Stenness not been allowed to grow in recent years?

b) Why is the Orkney Local Development Plan not considered in relation to the proposal to close Stenness Community
School?
c) Why is the Orkney Local Development Plan highlighting ‘immediate housing’ and housing in 2017 for Stenness and yet
the projected school roll makes no allowance for this change?
d) Why did the report not make clear to councillors that new housing in other school catchment areas has had a direct
impact on the school roll?
e) How will the council be able to demonstrate under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 that there will be
no impact on the Stenness community?
f) Has this impact of the closure taken into account that Stenness Community Hall is the only remaining public building
in the community and as such the hub of community life?
g) Should the Stenness Community Hall not be sustainable following closure of the school, has the impact on public
meetings, local events, and other social events been taken into account?
h) Should the Stenness Community Hall not be sustainable following closure of the school, has the impact on other
groups who use the hall such as the Diamond Club, Brownies, the largest youth club in the West Mainland been taken
into account?
i) Should the Stenness Community Hall not be sustainable following closure of the school, has the impact on other
communities been assessed?
j) Has the accessibility and transportation been assessed for all current groups and individuals who use the Community
Hall?

9. Wider Orkney Community Questions

a) Why is Stenness not being supported to act as the natural overflow for both housing and education as Stromness
develops as the Centre of Excellence for the Renewables industry and the container shipment hub?
b) Why are school closures being considered when the report states that the overall roll will not decrease but gradually
increase?
c) Why are school closures being considered when ministers describe rural schools as the fabric of education provision
in Scotland?
d) Why are school closures being considered when ministers state that this should be a last resort?
e) Which community will be next to lose its school?
f) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored across all 22 schools how school closures will affect the local
community’s viability?
g) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored across all 22 schools whether the buildings, facilities and
grounds would still be accessible, or lost, to the communities?
h) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored across all 22 schools whether school closures would
encourage school-age children to leave the community?
i) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored across all 22 schools whether school closures would
discourage families moving into Communities?
j) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored across all 22 schools the impact that closure might have on
other services provided locally?

10. Viable Alternatives

a) What viable alternatives have been considered in detail by the Department of Education and Leisure and the council
as a whole prior to school closures being explored?
b) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored savings that could be made across all 22 schools in Orkney
prior to looking at school closures?
c) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored ways to increase the school roll?
d) Has the Department of Education and Leisure explored how the buildings across all 22 schools could be used more
intensively?

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

Comment Sheet
If you have any comments or suggestions we would really appreciate it if you could leave your ideas here.

Thank you for your input.

If you have any suggestions you would like to make at a later date then you can email them to us at
stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

This is a letter template from the point of view of a parent who has a child or children whom attend Stenness
School. Of course this is simply an idea of what you can write and you may want to add your own thoughts and
edit it to suit you.

Orkney Islands Council

Education & Leisure services

School Place

Kirkwall

KW15 1NY

Dear Mr. Manson

Stenness Community School

I am very concerned and disappointed at the possible closure of Stenness Community School. As a parent of
child/children who attend the school I can’t believe that the Authority is even considering such a proposal.

My child/children receive an extremely good level of education at Stenness. Being taught in a rural school in
their own community has I believe encouraged them to be thoughtful and respectful to others and to really
care about their community and school.

Also as a community where the school is at the heart I have serious concerns about the future of Stenness
should the school close. The children that attend the school are actively involved in so many things around this
community such as visits to the daycare centre and the maintenance of happy valley.

I hope you rethink your decision, realising what you are taking away from this community and let Stenness
Community School continue educating the children of our future.

Yours sincerely

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

This is a letter template from the point of view of a person who is a member of or has children attending a
user group held in the Stenness hall or community room. Of course this is simply an idea of what you can write
and you may want to add your own thoughts and edit it to suit you.

Orkney Islands Council

Education & Leisure services

School Place

Kirkwall

KW15 1NY

Dear Mr Manson

Stenness Community School

I am very concerned and disappointed at the possible closure of Stenness Community School.

My children attend brownies and youth club within the community hall. It is something for them to look
forward to, a meeting place with friends, and a hub of the community.

I feel that this community will be lost without the school alongside the community hall as they bring so much.

Stenness has proposed housing outlined which will bring more to the community too, why would people want
to move here, should there be no school? Orkney should be supporting rural communities like Stenness to
continue to thrive. I cannot believe that all other avenues have been looked into for making financial savings
and surely this drastic measure should be avoided at all costs.

School closures should really not be considered at a time when Orkneys economy is set to benefit from the
container hub and the renewable sector. Surely we should be helping communities grow.

Yours sincerely

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk
 Contacts: Graham Sinclair
Ward: North Isles
If you wish to contact the campaign group with Address: 4 Watson Drive, Kirkwall, KW15 1FG
your views then please email Telephone: 01856 871 149 (home) or 07872 677 885
stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk (blackberry)
Email: graham.sinclair@orkney.gov.uk
Mr Leslie Manson
Director
Ian Johnstone
Education & Leisure Services
Ward: Stromness and South Isles
Council Offices
Address: No 1 Gaudiesback, Innertown, Stromness, KW16
School Place
3JW
Kirkwall
KW15 1NY Telephone: 01856 850393 or 07831275246
Email: ian.johnstone@orkney.gov.uk
Email: leslie.manson@orkney.gov.uk
education.leisure@orkney.gov.uk Jack Moodie
Ward: Kirkwall West and Orphir
Address: Skeetquoy, Tankerness, KW17 2QR
Councillors
Telephone: 01856 861 479
Alistair Gordon Email: jack.moodie@orkney.gov.uk
Ward: West Mainland
Address: Cot of Grimbister, Firth, KW15 1TT James Stockan
Telephone: 01856 761 258 Ward: Stromness and South Isles
alistair.gordon@orkney.gov.uk Address: 102 Victoria Street, Stromness, KW16 3BU
Telephone: 01856 850 888
Allan Leslie Email: james.stockan@orkney.gov.uk
Ward: Kirkwall West and Orphir
Address: Skerryvore, 7 Victoria Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1PB Janice Annal
Telephone: 01856 873252 Ward: Kirkwall East
Email: allan.leslie@orkney.gov.uk Address: Rennibister Cottage, Kirkwall, KW15 1TX
Telephone: 01856 761 531
Andrew Drever Mobile: 07909 960 761
Ward: East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray Email: janice.annal@orkney.gov.uk
Address: Orkavoe, Holm, KW17 2RY
Telephone: 01856 781 307 Jim Foubister
Mobile: 07703 795 815 Ward: East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray
Email: andrew.drever@orkney.gov.uk Address: Esnaphy, Deerness, KW17 2QH
Telephone: 01856 741 322
Email: james.foubister@orkney.gov.uk
Bobby Leslie
Ward: Kirkwall East
Address: Snelsetr, Inganess Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1SP Jimmy Moar
Telephone: 01856 872 838 Ward: West Mainland
Email: bobby.leslie@orkney.gov.uk Address: Crook, Rendall, KW17 2HA
Telephone: 01856 751 222
Email: james.moar@orkney.gov.uk
David Tullock
Ward: Kirkwall West and Orphir
Address: Valhalla, Grainbank Road, St Ola, KW15 1UA John Eccles
Telephone: 01856 872 254 Ward: Stromness and South Isles
Email: david.tullock@orkney.gov.uk Address: Saltwater Slap, Rackwick, Hoy, KW16 3NJ
Telephone: 01856 791 219
Email: john.eccles@orkney.gov.uk
Eoin Scott
Ward: West Mainland
Address: Redland, Firth, KW17 2EU
Telephone: 01856 761 214
Email: eoin.scott@orkney.gov.uk

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk

Mike Drever James Stockan – Independent Candidate
Ward: Kirkwall East Ward: Stromness and South Isles
Address: Quoyerriga, 18 Victoria Road, Kirkwall, KW15 Address: 102 Victoria Street, Stromness, KW16 3BU
1JP Telephone: 01856 850 888
Telephone: 01856 874 240 Email: james.stockan@orkney.gov.uk
Email: mike.drever@orkney.gov.uk
William Sharkey – Labour Candidate
Rob Crichton Email: williamsharkey231@btinternet.com
Ward: West Mainland
Telephone: 07908485706
Address: Button, Stenness
Telephone: 01856 851169
Email: rob.crichton@orkney.gov.uk Emails and letters about your views about the
proposed closure of Stenness School can be sent
Roderick McLeod to the Postbag at Radio Orkney – letters to the
Ward: Kirkwall West and Orphir Postbag are anonymous, you do have to provide
Address: Daisy Cottage, 20 Bignold Park Road, Kirkwall, your name but it will not be mentioned on air.
KW15 1PT
Telephone: Home 01856 875263;
BBC Radio Orkney
Mobile: 07703 795817
Castle Street
Email: roderick.mcleod@orkney.gov.uk
Kirkwall
KW15 1DF
Russ Madge Telephone: 873939
Ward: East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray Email: radio.orkney@bbc.co.uk
Address: 4 Cleat, St Margaret’s Hope, KW17 2RW
Telephone: 01856 831 899
Mobile: 07703-795814 Or The Orcadian ‘Letters’ page
Email: russ.madge@orkney.gov.uk
The Orcadian Postbag
Sam Harcus 50 Albert Street
Ward: North Isles Kirkwall
Address: Rannabrae, Westray, KW17 2DE Orkney
Telephone: 07703 795 812 KW15 1HQ
Email: sam.harcus@orkney.gov.uk Email: postbag@orcadian.co.uk
Telephone: 878000
Stephen Hagan
Ward: North Isles
Address: Skaill, Westray, KW17 2DN
Telephone: 01857 677 226
Email: stephen.hagan@orkney.gov.uk

Steven Heddle
Ward: Kirkwall East
Address: Newington, Holm Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1PY
Telephone: 01856 877 119
Email: steven.heddle@orkney.gov.uk

CANDIDATES FOR MAY ELECTIONS

Jamie Halcro Johnston - Scottish Conservative

Candidate for Orkney
Email: jamiehalcrojohnston@hotmail.com
Tel: 07941 320390
Twitter: @jhalcrojohnston

Donna Heddle - SNP Candidate for Orkney Address:

Newington, Holm Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1PY
Tel: 07923 565387
Email: donna.heddle@googlemail.com

Liam Scott McArthur - Scottish Liberal Democrats

Candidate Tel: 01856 876541
Email: liam4orkney@yahoo.co.uk

Save our Community School – Campaign Group stennessfuture@hotmail.co.uk