Scottish Catholic Observer

A decision on the future of Notre Dame High School, the last state school in Scotland to only admit girls, will be taken at a council vote on November 28.

However, ahead of the vote, the SNP administration announced it would back the move.

The Greens and Conservatives subsequently said they will also vote in favour.

The council has 37 SNP councillors, 31 Labour, eight Conservative, seven greens and two independents.

Debate

The future of the school, which was founded in 1897, has sparked a passionate debate among parents and the wider community in the area.

The group campaigning to retain Notre Dame as a girls’ school described the development as ‘disappointing’ but those supporting change said they were ‘delighted.’

A recent consultation exercise looked at whether to keep the school as it is, change the catchment area or start admitting boys.

According to campaign groups, who have seen the consultation ahead of publication, making the school co-educational was the single most popular option. However, the other two options—which would have kept Notre Dame as a girls’ school—received more support between them.

Councillor response

Councillor Chris Cunningham, convener for education, skills and early years, said: “The SNP group and city cabinet have agreed, after discussion and a vote, to support the co-education option for the future of Notre Dame High School following the recent consultation.”

Labour councillor Bill Butler, of Scotstounhill, spokesman for the party, told the SCO: “We are very surprised and frankly astonished that the SNP haven’t waited for the consultation document on Notre Dame High School to be published.

“Why initiate a consultation without a paper being produced. It seems to be a complete waste of public time and money and it is a very odd way for the administration of the council to proceed.

“At this stage the Labour group will analyse the consultation and its findings when it is published and then we will adopt a stance ahead of the scheduled meeting. We will follow due process.”

Reaction

A spokesperson for the The Girls for Notre Dame campaign group said: “We will, of course, respect the decision made at committee later this month. It will be interesting to see this precedent rolled out across all Glasgow secondaries.

“Any child will then have the right to transition to the secondary school closest to them, whether they meet the criteria of that school or not. Parent power now determines what your local school is rather than the council’s defined catchment areas.”

The campaign group NDH4ALL said it was delighted with the development.

Co-educational

A spokesman said: “We hope that the final barrier to local education is removed, to have a fully inclusive school, inclusive of all children.

“We believe this will mean a brighter future for our children, community and a co-educational Notre Dame High.”

Glasgow Archdiocese was approached for comment.

A spokesman for the archdiocese previously said: “The Archbishop believes that a consultation could be a positive step forward so that all the school communities which have an interest in the proposal can have their say.”