KIRKLANDPARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
PARENT COUNCIL
Parent Council’s questions to Vance Sinclair
From: muirend@hotmail.co.uk
To: vance.sinclair@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; larry.forde@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; sara.fellows@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; colin.mcdowall@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk
CC: catherinedoig@googlemail.com; charles.beattie@virgin.net; penny_innes@mac.com; kydyshch4@o2.co.uk; john_innes@me.com; toonwilson@talktalk.net; lynda.mcjannett@btopenworld.com; sterrittfamily@aol.com; fioken@btinternet.com; sfk42@hotmail.co.uk; falder@talktalk.net; anitaben@superb.me.uk; kerianth@gmail.com; andy.kerr.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Subject: Proposed Football Pitch on Kirklandpark Site
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:30:59 +0000
Dear Vance,
Thank you for your communications on the proposed all weather pitch in Kirklandpark field. We appreciate that this proposal does not yet have planning permission and many points have not yet been finalised. As this plan will have a great impact on the education and well being of all children attending Kirklandpark Primary it is vital for the decision making process to be transparent.
Up to this point the consultation process with the Parent Forum of Kirklandpark Primary School has been inadequate and has left many fundamental questions unanswered. The Parent Council intend to conduct a ballot of all parents in January to determine whether there is consensus amongst the Parent Forum to divert funds intended for our school into a joint project. It is not acceptable to delay this ballot as time is needed to act on the results.
We intend to provide the Parent Forum with a brief information sheet addressing the main issues that surround this project and its impact on the life of the school. In order to compile this accurately we would appreciate your help in providing some much needed clarity on the following points.
1. What evidence is there to suggest that a full size 3G pitch is more beneficial to primary school children than a MUGA?
2. Can you confirm that Kirklandpark primary school will have exclusive access to the facility during the hours 9am - 5pm (when the after school club closes)?
3. If a 3G pitch is built outside the school it is expected that Kirklandpark primary school will require full use of the pitch from 9am - 4pm, this will not allow for Strathaven Academy (or any other community groups) to utilize the pitch during school hours or the after school period. What would be your position in the event that Strathaven Academy wished to use the pitch during those hours, assuming Kirklandpark staff felt that this could not be accommodated? What remit would the head of education have in deciding on the use of the pitch by the Academy during school hours? Would pressure be placed on Kirlandpark staff to ensure other schools had access to the pitch?
4. The pitch would be sited a few metres away from the infant end of the school which houses the nursery and primary one to three classrooms, the infant playground would be separated from the pitch by a footpath. What consideration has been given to the learning environment of nursery and primary 1-3 children with regards to having a full size pitch being used only feet away by much older children/ young people (as in the case of us not having exclusive use as has been suggested to us in a previous communication)?
Having in mind that all the lower primaries and nursery children are encouraged to go outside as much as possible when weather permits- how will the chanting and cheering (and that's just the positive noises) affect the children's learning environment- how will it affect children in the classroom to see and hear other older children/ teenagers playing football once again feet away? This age group is very easily distracted and this proposal would not seem to have taken this age groups learning needs into consideration - comments please?
5. What have been the results of the Health and Safety risk assessments for this proposal, especially in the following areas:
Evidence would support that children playing for the Dynamos are asked by coaches to urinate against one of the trees in the park for their toileting needs despite the current provision of toilets, is the inevitable increase in this practice due to increased usage of the pitch by the Dynamos. Is this seen as a hygiene risk?
Given the increase in outside bodies being attracted to the facility between the hours of 9am - 5pm (when after school club closes) what additional security measures are proposed to keep the children safe from intruders. Who would be responsible for such measures?
It was previously indicated that car parking needs would be addressed as part of the refurbishment process, how will the risk from inadequate places for parking be managed?
Vandalism is currently a significant problem for the school, how will vandalism of the pitch be addressed on a day to day basis?
6. Can you confirm that the Parent Council is at liberty to consult Kirklandpark's head teacher and other school staff on the educational benefits of the proposal, and that they are free to give their opinions? This would be of great benefit given her expertise and experience.
Thank you for your help in answering these questions.
Patrick Flood
Chairperson of Kirklandpark Primary School Parent Council
To: vance.sinclair@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; larry.forde@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; sara.fellows@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk; colin.mcdowall@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk
CC: catherinedoig@googlemail.com; charles.beattie@virgin.net; penny_innes@mac.com; kydyshch4@o2.co.uk; john_innes@me.com; toonwilson@talktalk.net; lynda.mcjannett@btopenworld.com; sterrittfamily@aol.com; fioken@btinternet.com; sfk42@hotmail.co.uk; falder@talktalk.net; anitaben@superb.me.uk; kerianth@gmail.com; andy.kerr.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Subject: Proposed Football Pitch on Kirklandpark Site
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:30:59 +0000
Dear Vance,
Thank you for your communications on the proposed all weather pitch in Kirklandpark field. We appreciate that this proposal does not yet have planning permission and many points have not yet been finalised. As this plan will have a great impact on the education and well being of all children attending Kirklandpark Primary it is vital for the decision making process to be transparent.
Up to this point the consultation process with the Parent Forum of Kirklandpark Primary School has been inadequate and has left many fundamental questions unanswered. The Parent Council intend to conduct a ballot of all parents in January to determine whether there is consensus amongst the Parent Forum to divert funds intended for our school into a joint project. It is not acceptable to delay this ballot as time is needed to act on the results.
We intend to provide the Parent Forum with a brief information sheet addressing the main issues that surround this project and its impact on the life of the school. In order to compile this accurately we would appreciate your help in providing some much needed clarity on the following points.
1. What evidence is there to suggest that a full size 3G pitch is more beneficial to primary school children than a MUGA?
2. Can you confirm that Kirklandpark primary school will have exclusive access to the facility during the hours 9am - 5pm (when the after school club closes)?
3. If a 3G pitch is built outside the school it is expected that Kirklandpark primary school will require full use of the pitch from 9am - 4pm, this will not allow for Strathaven Academy (or any other community groups) to utilize the pitch during school hours or the after school period. What would be your position in the event that Strathaven Academy wished to use the pitch during those hours, assuming Kirklandpark staff felt that this could not be accommodated? What remit would the head of education have in deciding on the use of the pitch by the Academy during school hours? Would pressure be placed on Kirlandpark staff to ensure other schools had access to the pitch?
4. The pitch would be sited a few metres away from the infant end of the school which houses the nursery and primary one to three classrooms, the infant playground would be separated from the pitch by a footpath. What consideration has been given to the learning environment of nursery and primary 1-3 children with regards to having a full size pitch being used only feet away by much older children/ young people (as in the case of us not having exclusive use as has been suggested to us in a previous communication)?
Having in mind that all the lower primaries and nursery children are encouraged to go outside as much as possible when weather permits- how will the chanting and cheering (and that's just the positive noises) affect the children's learning environment- how will it affect children in the classroom to see and hear other older children/ teenagers playing football once again feet away? This age group is very easily distracted and this proposal would not seem to have taken this age groups learning needs into consideration - comments please?
5. What have been the results of the Health and Safety risk assessments for this proposal, especially in the following areas:
Evidence would support that children playing for the Dynamos are asked by coaches to urinate against one of the trees in the park for their toileting needs despite the current provision of toilets, is the inevitable increase in this practice due to increased usage of the pitch by the Dynamos. Is this seen as a hygiene risk?
Given the increase in outside bodies being attracted to the facility between the hours of 9am - 5pm (when after school club closes) what additional security measures are proposed to keep the children safe from intruders. Who would be responsible for such measures?
It was previously indicated that car parking needs would be addressed as part of the refurbishment process, how will the risk from inadequate places for parking be managed?
Vandalism is currently a significant problem for the school, how will vandalism of the pitch be addressed on a day to day basis?
6. Can you confirm that the Parent Council is at liberty to consult Kirklandpark's head teacher and other school staff on the educational benefits of the proposal, and that they are free to give their opinions? This would be of great benefit given her expertise and experience.
Thank you for your help in answering these questions.
Patrick Flood
Chairperson of Kirklandpark Primary School Parent Council