St Ninian's debate extended

While interested parties were originally intended to have their views in by November 5, the period for debate has been extended until December 10 because of an administration error.

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire council said: "The decision has been made to ensure all community councils serving the areas covered by the existing school catchment have received copies of the paper".

David McCulloch, chair of St Angela's PTA remains dissatisfied with ERC's actions.

He said: "Although we readily accept the extension of the consultation period we believe the council is encouraging previous responders to consider withdrawing or changing their response.

"Clearly the council does not like the responses received by it up to date. It is shameful behaviour, treating our children and their parents in this discourteous manner".

"East Ren does not want to consult with us. It only wants to implement its proposal (to see St Angela's and St Vincent's removed as feeder schools) which is clearly opposed by all parent councils".

A third public meeting will take place on November 24 in Woodfarm high school at 7pm. Copies of the consultation paper can be

downloaded at the council's St Ninian's consultation pages on the website www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.

Meanwhile, education convenor Alan Lafferty disagrees with Archbishop Mario Conti's concerns about the two Glasgow schools being removed as St Ninian's feeder primaries (Extra, Oct 21).

He told The Extra: "Scottish government guidance indicates the only area where education authorities can discriminate on religious grounds in relation to pupil admission is in placing requests.

"If the council were to prioritise places at St Ninian's for baptised Catholic children, then within two years, Glasgow residents would have more right to a place in an ERC financed and managed school than East Ren residents.

"The council believes that in this situation the risk of legal challenge from affected East Renfrewshire families would be high and would delay any attempt to address the pressures on St Ninian's".