Major consultation launched on future of Catholic education in Inverclyde

It comes after councillors agreed to increase the roll at St Columba's High in Gourock from next year to cope with demand.

Officials say that plans must also be made now to handle potential extra pressure further down the line.

The consultation will examine Kilmacolm, Wemyss Bay and Inverkip primaries – where parents currently have a choice of whether to send their child to either a denominational or non-denominational school as they move into secondary.

Continuing pressure on the roll at St Columba’s means the council will increase the capacity from 120 to 140 for the academic year starting in August 2020.

Education convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “The capacity at St Columba’s is under some pressure, but this change means that the council can more easily manage the pressure next year.

“As we examine future years it is important that we address the continuing issues raised from our village schools.

“The council will now carry out a consultation with parents of all affected schools to find out their views and examine a range of options.”

Education officials have drawn up three proposals for a revamp of the current set-up.

The first option would see only pupils with a certificate of Baptism into the Catholic faith automatically transferring from village schools to Roman Catholic secondary schools.

Option two is to completely remove the village schools as feeder schools for denominational secondaries.

A third option is ascertain demand for a Catholic primary in the west of Inverclyde in addition to St Ninian’s Primary in Gourock.

Cllr Clocherty added: “The increase in intake at St Columba’s will help but it won’t solve the ongoing capacity issues at St Columba’s.

"The consultation on a range of options could help us to find a way to solve the issues at the school and make sure that we are supporting fully the choices of parents and continuing to make sure that we provide the best education we can to our young people.”