Parents have re-occupied Wyndford Primary School, Glasgow

On 26th June parents re-occupied their primary school in protest over its imminent closure by Glasgow Council.

They brought their first occupation during the Easter holidays to an end, as they did not want to disrupt their kids’ education. The council ignored them and other primary school parents and took the outrageous decision to close 22 primary schools in Glasgow.

It is now the summer holidays and when I spoke to Nikki yesterday she said parents were determined to stick it out until the end of the summer holidays.

This is a blow-by-blow account of the day when the council turned up and attempted to cross the parent’s picket line and get their materials from the school.

1. First thing this morning, Saturday, 8 vans with about 15-20 contracted personnel, entered Wyndford Primary and began to load materials from classrooms and the gym.

2. A parent’s picket line was formed across the entrance of the school to prevent the vans leaving.

3. A Council surveillance vehicle with roof camera approached.   It withdrew after it was pointed out that such surveillance constituted “intimidation” and this would be unwise since Council security guards would have to continue to work on the site after the dispute was settled.

4. After negotiations between the removal personnel and the parents, it was agreed that the vans would be permitted to leave the school premises only if:

a) All school materials loaded were returned to the gym and the classrooms.

b) The vans would be permitted one by one through the picket line only after each had been stopped and inspected to ensure that no school materials were on board.

Subject to the above conditions, the vans were permitted to leave the premises.

The Council did not cut off water and electricity as threatened.   It was realised that Fire Alarm systems would also have been severed. All proceedings were supervised by a number of police officers and constables whose conduct was amiable throughout.

The parents agreed that they had “won a battle but not the war”.

(Information provided by Brian Pollitt)

Messages of support can be sent to Nikki Rathmill 07894123721

For more info contact Richie Venton on 07828 278 093

richieventon@hotmail.com

Please take some time to sign the e-petition for the Scottish Parliament.

For more info on the campaign visit Save Our Schools - Glasgow

Tue 07, July 2009 @ 21:41