Parents show concern over timetable issues

Ms Donnelly responded: “The school did not change the timetable; it does not happen. The structure was changed, but it did not happen at the last minute.

“We worked with the college to get the offer of how we could put it out to the young people, and the offer changed.

“We will look to see if we can deliver Euro skills through our geography department, so that we do not disappoint pupils who want to study it.

“There were also online courses in childcare and psychology, and we are approaching another college to see if they can help us deliver these.

“I was quite disappointed when I realised the courses had gone, and we are working on trying to deal with that. We are in contact with parents to try to work that out.”

Councillor Kelly added: “Parents have also expressed concerns to me that they are not getting any communication from the school.

“I appreciate you are only one person, but there is an issue if staff cannot answer parents’ questions. I have also been made aware of pupils going to the college to find their course is not happening and they have to return to school.”

Fellow South Kintyre councillor John Armour then said: “I have had communication as well. It is something we will need to take offline as it could develop into a huge conversation.”

Ms Donnelly added: “We are drafting a letter to parents to clear up some of these issues.”

Elaine Munro, acting principal for UHI Argyll, said: “We are aware that Campbeltown Grammar School recently issued a letter to parents, ostensibly blaming UHI Argyll for the current difficulties around timetables and option choices.

“We are extremely disappointed at the inaccuracies contained in that communication and strongly refute those assertions.

“Discussions around senior phase college provision started in December, and the school only informed us of their timetable changes after the Easter break, having already been informed of the availability of college lecturers.

“UHI Argyll has not made any unilateral changes to the programme on offer to the school. We have written to the parent council to provide clarity.

“UHI Argyll is committed to working collaboratively with Campbeltown Grammar School to ensure our young people receive the widest and best possible choice of academic and vocational provision.

“We wish to do so in a constructive, positive, and transparent way.

“We are working very closely with the school to help them with the internal issues they have faced in their organisation of the senior phase college activity.”

Speaking to the Courier this week, Councillor Kelly said: “Following the area committee meeting, I have continued to receive further correspondence from both parents and senior pupils regarding the timetabling issues as well concerns surrounding ASN support and behavioural issues within the school.

"I arranged meetings with executive director Douglas Hendry and chief education officer Jen Crocket to discuss these various issues at length. I have been assured that the education service is taking these matters very seriously and I will be kept updated on the findings and resolutions for all of the above.

"I will be keeping in touch with the service and will press for positive progress.”