COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve the decision to permanently relocate St Mungo’s RC Primary School to Alloa Academy, despite widespread objection to the idea.

A paper has been prepared for the Clackmannanshire Council meeting this Thursday, November 28 which recommends the move.

The council believe that the move offers a range of educational benefits for pupils, allowing them to access better facilities, gym equipment and classroom spaces not available in primary schools.

The paper read: “The educational benefits of permanently relocating St Mungo’s RCPS include children are settled, attend and attain well.

“The facilities and space available in the Alloa Academy site include access to gym halls, assembly hall with stage area, lights and sound system and tiered seating.

“St Mungo’s can access other facilities, such as Home Economics and Science that are not available in primary schools.

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“The external grounds and sports facilities are also superior to those that would be available in a primary school. PE staff from the Academy currently deliver PE lessons to St Mungo’s.”

Despite the plans, objections have been lodged from parents, staff and members of the public.

Consultations were held regarding the move, with one event held at Alloa’s Bowmar Centre allowing the public to voice concerns to the council.

Issues raised including unsuitable access to toilet facilities, exposure to actions such as fighting and vaping and not enough classroom space.

During the Bowmar Centre consultation, one parent told the Advertiser their child was “frightened” to go to school.

They said: “One of my kids went to the Alloa Academy site and I had trouble getting him from St Mungo’s to St Modan’s because he was frightened of the high school kids.

“He did his P7 in St Mungo’s at Alloa Academy and him and the other kids were bullied and called nasty, sectarian names.

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“There was fighting in the classrooms which our kids were exposed to.”

The online consultation asked people to voice their opinions on the educational benefits of permanently relocating the school to Alloa Academy.

Of the 257 responses to the consultation, an overwhelming 83 per cent voted against the move.

The paper continued: “Overall, a clear majority of responses provided negative comment including disputing the educational benefits provided in the proposal or directly linking these benefits to the staff within each school rather than the location of St Mungo’s.

“Concerns and challenges were highlighted in relation to several operational matters.”

The original St Mungo’s building was decanted in 2018 following water ingress and health concerns.

Kids were moved into Alloa Academy on a temporary arrangement, while the council looked at options for the old site.

A report, attached to the council paper, explained that the condition of St Mungo’s building was “so poor that a full internal refurbishment was not considered an economically viable option.”

The paper added: “Co-locating St Mungo’s and Alloa Academy in the same building makes use of existing, high-quality space within the school estate.

“Based on these findings, it is recommended that Clackmannanshire Council agree to implement the proposal to permanently relocate St Mungo’s RCPS to the site of Alloa Academy.”

The meeting is set to go ahead this Thursday, with a decision to be made on St Mungo’s.