Engagement strategy for Eyemouth Primary School begins with focus group meetings

At that time, the Council agreed to stop the statutory Consultation being undertaken under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 due to significant community opposition.

It was also agreed that officers would develop a comprehensive engagement plan that seeks to directly engage with a diverse range of focus groups and community stakeholders including headteachers, staff, parents, parent council chairs, pupils, and local residents who through open discussion will work with the project team to help inform proposals for the primary school.

Engagement Strategy

Over the past six weeks, officers have developed an engagement strategy, which is essential for securing community support for the project, facilitating the identification and resolution of concerns, and minimising both misinformation and miscommunication within the local community. 

The plan focuses on five focus groups, who have all been invited to take part in planned focus group meetings.  These focus group meetings will take place over three rounds, with the first meetings scheduled during the first two weeks of February at Eyemouth Primary School.

Councillor Julie Pirone, SBC’s Executive Member for Education, Youth Development and Lifelong Learning:

“I’d like to thank all those who have agreed to be part of the focus groups so we can move forward with a solution for a new school in Eyemouth. It is really important that we have the opportunity to have open discussions with local community groups, so that the project team can progress with proposals as soon as possible.”   

Following the first round of engagement sessions, feedback will be collected and reviewed, with an update presented to Local Ward members for discussion as well as focus group participants in advance of their next meeting.

A further report will be presented to Council following all three rounds of the focus group meetings.