North-east parents claimed victory in their fight to keep two unique school dyslexia units from closure yesterday.
Aberdeenshire Council has reversed its decision to shut down the bases at Kellands School in Inverurie and Crimond School near Fraserburgh – even vowing to build on the work achieved at both.
Last November the decision to close down the two dyslexia units was overturned, sending their proposals back to the council officers for a rethink.
And yesterday the local authority’s education, learning and leisure committee announced it would not appeal the decision by the school closure review panel.
The dyslexia units are the only two of their kind in the north-east.
The council’s decision to close the units had prompted anger from parents, who said they had seen huge improvements to their children’s reading and writing abilities there.
Last night Inverurie parent Tanya Doig – whose daughter uses the Kellands School dyslexia unit – said: “We’re delighted. It is nothing short of a miracle. I am so relived because we felt we had to stand up for not only our children but all the other families that don’t have the facilities in place.
“Hopefully it is a step forward because there is other areas in Scotland that have really good services, which is something we should be striving for as well.”
Chairwoman of the education committee Alison Evison said: “Aberdeenshire Council has chosen not to appeal this decision, and at this time will not be progressing a fresh submission.
“As such, I can confirm that the dyslexia units remain open and that specialist staffing continues to be in place.
“Work is on-going to strengthen the referral and admissions process and to further extend the outreach service along with the development and implementation of a comprehensive training programme leading to improved support to all schools.
“Arrangements for the referrals and admissions process will be confirmed in the near future.”