Parents’ groups have expressed their concerns over proposed changes to school services in North Lanarkshire.

Today, the council’s education committee will vote on whether to proceed with various changes to its provision of additional support needs school services, including moving Clydeview School in Motherwell to the existing Daisy Park Community Centre under shared headship with Fir Park Primary.

However, the plans have caused worry for parents.

Michelle Allan, chairperson of Clydeview Parent Council, said: “We are deeply concerned over the relocation of Clydeview School to the Daisy Park Community Centre.

"We feel the handling of this process has been very poor. NLC have failed to give us any clear answers in regards to important aspects of the proposal until after the consulation process has been agreed.”

The most recent inspection of Clydeview School was not favourable and council reports note ongoing issues with staff retention and resources, and it is hoped the move would “strengthen leadership, provide greater depth and breadth of staffing and improve the offering to primary aged children with MLD and complex needs within the South locality.”

Michelle says her school has not been treated fairly however. She said: “Clydeview has been portrayed quite negatively and we feel that this is extremely unfair. Clydeview provides adequate ASN facilities. The children are safe and secure in the current and environment they are in. They have access to all outdoor space, sensory room etc.

“Their proposal would mean that Clydeview and Firpark would merge together and although be their own school they would share a headship and this would give them the opportunity to share staff.

“We as parents fail to understand how this could help as this could only result in more strain on staff in not only one school but now two and our children would then not be given the same priorities as they do now. The proposed facilities are a lot smaller than what is already available to our children."

A spokesperson for Firpark Parent Council added: “We cannot see how this is in the best interest of the children. We have read all documentation and attended the public and follow up meeting during the consultation process.

“First of all, we fully support the intent to bring Equity to the ASN sector but as much as NLC will try and paint it as such, this proposal is sorely lacking this.

“We have major concerns surrounding the shared headship and exactly what this means. We have been told that this would be one head teacher running both schools and say that there are examples within North Lanarkshire.

“It is our opinion this is not about bringing equity or for the betterment of the children but a cost cutting exercise at the expense of the staff and children.

“We have also raised issues with the current flow of traffic to the campus, something that we have already been trying to raise as a joint campus with Cathedral Parent Council pre – consultation. Both of our schools raised serious concerns about the issues inside our campus carpark at pickup times and the potential safety to the children of both schools currently without the added possible effect that more taxis and buses will have if the proposal goes through. We feel that the issues with the current campus should be addressed before we think of adding another school to the campus."

A council spokesperson said: “The proposed changes to Additional Needs School provision across North Lanarkshire is the direct result of a comprehensive cross-party review of the sector.

“The proposals are part of our commitment to drive up standards in the sector and improve outcomes for young people who attend ASN establishments.

“They have been subject to extensive statutory consultation involving all key stakeholders including parent councils and Education Scotland.

“They will be discussed and voted on by members of the council’s Education and Families Committee on Monday, June 7.”