A political row has erupted over the future of an Aberdeen school.
St Peter’s RC primary has stood on Dunbar Street since 1983, having originally been founded in 1933 on the city’s Constitution Street.
Last month, consultations took place about building a new school in Tillydrone which has been suggested as a means of tackling St Peter’s current 150% of capacity roll.
Residents have been quizzed for their views on two options: either the creation of a new shared campus school, incorporating St Peter’s, or the construction of a new non-religious school in the city.
However, Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart has questioned the plans and called on the council to explore suggestions a new school should be built on the site of St Peter’s to replace the existing amenity.
The SNP member urged the local authority to meet with parents of pupils following “disappointment” at the options offered to them for proposed changes to schools in the area.
Mr Stewart claimed parents at St Peter’s had asked him why a new school couldn’t be built on the same site.
He added: “I have been approached by parents and representatives of the community in Old Aberdeen who feel passionately that there should be more than just the two options available to them, and want a wider consultation on the matter.
“Permanent changes to primary schools have a major impact on the children there, but also on the families and wider communities of which they are a part.
“The council has a responsibility to explore all options put forward that prioritise the best education and learning environment for pupils.”
However, education convener, Angela Taylor, criticised the former council finance convener for suggesting the move after his administration closed schools in the city.
She said: “The audacity of this coming from Kevin Stewart has put my jaw on the floor.
“This is from the man who, when the SNP were in power at the council, closed schools left and right when he made £129million of cuts to the city.
“The consultation has only just finished and we are still evaluating the responses. Our door remains open to anyone who wants to share their opinion.”
