Councillors to consider plans to change catchement area for Balmedie School to include all of Blackdog
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COULD Blackdog school pupils be rezoned to Balmedie School?
Councillors are being asked to send all pupils in Blackdog to Balmedie School, rather than Scotstown School.
The move would bring school catchment areas in line with Aberdeenshire Council boundaries, rather than transporting pupils into Aberdeen City's Scotstown School.
However, a report says that Balmedie School, which is closer to Blackdog, is already set to reach capacity by 2025.
The report, which will be considered at the education and children's services committee meeting this Thursday (October 13), recommends the boundary changes but says money will have to be spent to improve capacity at the school.
The report says: "It is anticipated that Balmedie School will exceed capacity in future years, this is mainly due to housing within the area, however Aberdeenshire Council are looking at options to alleviate these pressures through Option Appraisals that are fit for the future.
"If this proposal is approved all pupils within Blackdog would be included within the options appraisal for Balmedie School.
"The rising roll at Balmedie School is already expected to require capital investment in order to provide increased capacity within the Blackdog to Ellon corridor.
"The small number of additional pupils generated from this proposal will not impact significantly upon the level of investment required."
Currently children in Blackdog are split between the two schools.
Houses in the north of Blackdog are zoned to Balmedie School, whilst houses are zoned to Scotstown School.
A survey of parents in the area showed support for the recommendations among local parents.
In total, 78 per cent of parents said their postcode should be linked with Balmedie School.
The survey also found that parents thought that children in Aberdeenshire should attend Aberdeenshire Council schools.
The report also clarified that no children would be required to change schools, and that siblings could still attend the same schools as family members.
The report said: "No existing children will be required to change school if this proposal is adopted.
"This would only come into effect for new children moving into the area, or for the new cohort of P1 pupils from August 2023.
"The council also proposes that all existing primary pupils attending Scotstown School continue to do so.
"If the proposal is implemented any siblings of current pupils would also be able to attend Scotstown School subject to Aberdeen City Councils Placing Request Policy.
"Aberdeenshire Council recognise the uncertainty on primary school catchments within the Blackdog settlement and how this has impacted the community.
"It is hoped that this proposal will give clarity on the primary school catchment in the future."
