Parents were celebrating last night after the School Closure Review Panel overturned a decision to close two dyslexia units in Aberdeenshire.
The School Closure Review Panel ruled that the move by the local authority’s education committee to shut bases at Kellands School in Inverurie and Crimond School, near Fraserbrugh, did not comply with legislation.
Outraged parents had hit out at the council’s decision to close the units, saying they had seen “huge improvements” in their youngster’s learning abilities during their time there.
The centres, which were due to shut in December, will now remain open and the local authority has been tasked with coming up with a better solution.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “A School Closure Review Panel considered the case and has refused consent to the proposal and remitted it back to Aberdeenshire Council for a fresh decision as to its implementation.
“The panel’s decision requires Aberdeenshire Council to prepare a fresh educational benefits statement for both schools and to meet the requirements of a rural school closure with respect to Crimond Primary School Dyslexia Unit.
“It is now for Aberdeenshire Council to reflect on this decision.”
Inverurie parents Graham Ellis and Tanya Doig were among the eleven families who appealed the council’s decision to the Scottish Government.
Mrs Doig – whose daughter uses the Kellands School dyslexia unit – said: “I am delighted.
“We were more concerned other children weren’t going to get the benefits of the unit. We saw how valuable it is and it is so poorly advertised by the council.
“We have all experienced that complete transformation. It is a shame the council are so short-sighted. They should be looking at how to replicate that in other places.”
Mr Ellis’s son also attended the unit.
“That is fantastic news. I just can’t believe it has paid off,” he said.
“It is a huge relief and a weight off my mind. It was never just about our kids but about all kids in Aberdeenshire.”
The units are the only two of their kind in the north-east and have been in place for 26 years.
The council’s director of education services, Maria Walker, said: “Almost all learners with dyslexia are supported in their local mainstream schools and we wanted to develop best practice across Aberdeenshire.
“While we are disappointed that the proposals have been rejected, it is clear from the panel’s findings that our processes need to improve.
“We will now take time to review the full detail of the panel’s decision, and consider our next steps.”