New Portobello High School - PPAG Judicial Review

[Franck]

[seanie]

[wangi]

[Pal of Porty]

I don't get the point of that letter - what am I missing?

[lg1726]

[Porty]

[Betty Windsor]

[Porty]

[Epykat]

[Betty Windsor]

[seanie]

Well it's been explained to you often enough.

Whilst it's possible to rebuild on the existing site, there would be serious problems with that.

The existing site is too small, less than half the recommended minimum, hence the high rise design and lack of adequate sports facilities. Even if St John's moved (which they don't want to do) the site would still be to small.

Also you couldn't rebuild on site without an extended decant. Decanting 1400 pupils off-site for 2-3 years would not only be hugely disruptive, it would also be hugely expensive. It could easily exceed £8 million, round about the cost of a new two stream primary school.

To spend considerably more, only to end up with a school fundamentally compromised by being on a site that's too small, doesn't make much sense when there's an alternative that delivers better facilities, at far less cost, and with less disruption.

And the fact remains that the park is principally used by dog walkers. Kids don't use it much.

The new paths will still allow people to exercise whilst enjoying the views and the accessible all-weather pitches will be a huge improvement that local kids will enjoy.

[tufty]

[Epykat]

[Betty Windsor]

[tufty]

Epykat.
Not every day. My three children go there and have each told me of disrupted lessons due to failures in technology. It's well known they can't have up to date computer technology in every class, they bus to Jack Kane, the hall has no facilities for concerts and the building is cold and cramped.
There seems no point in explaining this as it seems difficult for you to understand the issues of an old outdated building for education in 2012.
I would say the teachers do an excellent job. My children are all academic so for the most part it is just the bunsen burners that trouble them. For others who may want to do computing, CDT, home economics, PE or music however, they deserve access to modern working facilities.

As for the comments from Ms Windsor, how dare she describe people as disadvantaged, based on an address.

[Porty]

[wangi]

[seanie]

The usage survey was done in the summer when casual use would be expected to be at it's height, and in line with what we can all see with our own eyes, casual use of the park by the local community is minimal. They didn't need to do a survey to find out about formal use of the pitches because it easier to simply check the records on formal use of the pitches. And low and behold, even formal use of the pitches is very limited because they're crap.

[Porty]

[wangi]

[gillian]

.

[tufty]

Actually it would be true to say every child over the age of nine in the Portobello catchment area is disadvantaged by PPAG.
Unless they plan to attend an out of catchment school.

[Epykat]

[seanie]

The accommodation at PHS is sub-standard. It's the school in most need of replacement in the whole of Edinburgh.

Even PPAG gave up trying to pretend otherwise some time ago.

[rmolehusband]

[tufty]

epykat
How can you ignore the truth? It is not patronising to express my view based on what my children tell me. You don't seem to think that failing technology and warmth are an issue to education.
There have been two incidents involving my children that only happened due to the state of repair, ones that they don't want to share.
Children are entitled to dignity, safety and the best environment we can provide for them. I'm glad you had a good education, but why should that fact stop others getting a better one.

[Doris]

[Chas]

[bellybabe]

I haven't checked this thread for a few days as my OH told me it was all getting very nasty, and I wasn't too interested in that, though I can understand why people get so worked up. I have to say for once, I have been deeply offended by the implication that as someone not from round these parts, I have a different view of the park, and less right to an opinion of local education and environment than 8th generation Portobellosos...even those whose children are educated elsewhere, or who don't have children... I do in fact hail from Royston Vasey; this is true and may explain a lot - and I left. Now I live in a place I love and that my family loves, and where until now I have always felt welcome and a firm part of the community. I'm not going to let myself feel less part of the community thanks to some xenophobic nonsense from people who hold a different view from me, but I do find it deeply offensive, as well as simply nonsense. I walked up to the park on the day of the demo with a Portobello born and bred person, who told me she had never been in the park until that day. But of course she must feel differently about it from me, because of the happy accident of where our parents happened to live when we were born.

My views were perfectly acceptable despite my incomer status when they were in agreement with local campaigns; PCATS didn't reject my donations or signature or planning letters because I happen to be from Royston Vasey. My money is welcome in local businesses. Now that my view is different from that of the 100-strong "majority" of local people, it is dismissed because of geography and genetics. It is petty and ridiculous, but it is also ignorant and offensive. Disagree with me about where the school should be built if you like, but do it on the grounds of arguments on the case itself, not on my nationality.

I will be at the meeting tonight though I will arrive late. I will be there because the Community Council is supposed to reflect local views and so far it has shown no sign of representing mine, and I feel strongly about what is going on in MY community.

On another, lighter note - I am in fact afraid of the Bobalo; I learned long ago, when a "fancy a drink in the pub?" turned into selling my soul to POL and TP for some years, that he is a dangerous creature indeed!

[Pal of Porty]

[wangi]

[Franck]

I hope tonight doesn't get too nasty.Whatever you think of the stance taken by PPAG, they are entitled to air their views.

[Porty]

[Porty]

[Franck]