By Rosemary Dewar

A ST ANDREWS school, which was merged with another amidst strong public opposition last year, has some 'important weaknesses' in its leadership, according to an HMI Education report.

However, the head of the school board and a local politician have blamed the way Fife Council handled the merger for the problems.

As part of the council's rationalisation of primary school education in St Andrew's, Langlands Primary School closed last year and children formerly in its catchment area were moved to Canongate Primary after the summer break.

Colin Fleming, chair of Canongate's school board, hoped the education services realised the adverse effect of the merger and would put in place

resources to help the school tackle the issues raised.
"It was unfortunate timing for the inspection, given the upheaval the merger created," he said.

''The merger was rushed and poorly planned. (The council) jammed the schools together and did not put adequate support around the school for either the management team, pupils or teachers.''

North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith, has written to Fife's head of education, Ken Greer, over the findings. He says the merger appeared to have had "a direct negative impact'' on the quality of education of children from both schools.

"I have asked the head of education for his comments and will take stock of the situation when I hear from him," he said.
Mr Smith congratulated the Canongate staff and head, adding: "The situation would be far worse without their hard work over this difficult period."

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