Naming of New Primary School in Dargavel - ECSPB May 2025 v0.2
Renfrewshire Council · 15 May 2025
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 15 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 4 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 15 May 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Naming of New Primary School in Dargavel ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 In March 2025, an engagement exercise was carried out with school pupils from both Bishopton and Dargavel Primary Schools, in order to begin the naming process for the new primary school in Dargavel Village, Bishopton. 1.2 This process was carried out in line with the agreed policy procedures for the naming of new schools (originally approved by the Lifelong Learning & Work Policy Board on 4 August 2005). ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to: 2.1. Approve Thistle Primary School as the name for the new non-denominational primary school in Dargavel Village, Bishopton. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. On 23 May 2024, approval to proceed with the design and construction of a new Primary School in Dargavel was granted at the Education & Children’s Services Policy Board.
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Page 2 of 4 3.2. The requirement to name the school is an important first step in a wider exercise to develop the overall school identity. 3.3. In March 2025, local young people from Bishopton Primary School and Dargavel Primary School took part in an engagement exercise to put forward suggestions for suitable names for the new Primary School. 3.4. Pupils were asked to consider the wider historical context of the local area, as well as the surrounding nature and wildlife. A total of 10 names (five from each school) were put forward. 3.5. Under the terms of the School Naming Policy, the Director of Children’s Services and the convener of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are required to put forward three names for further consideration. 3.6. The three chosen names were: • Thistle Primary School (this option relates to the nature surrounding the new school) • Craigton Primary School (the school is on Craigton Drive and is in proximity of the Craigton burn). • Rossland Primary School (this option relates to a historic area name) 3.7. An electronic vote was opened for a period of two weeks from 18 March 2025, and the local community were encouraged to vote for their preferred name, choosing from the three shortlisted. Votes were encouraged across various stakeholder groups, and participants were asked to share across the local community to encourage participation and allow as many people to have their say in the naming of the new school. 3.8. The stakeholder groups approached to participate were as follows: • Pupils from Bishopton and Dargavel Primary Schools • School Staff • Parents and carers of Bishopton and Dargavel & Bishopton Primary School Pupils • Elected Members • Parent Councils • Community Councils • Dargavel Mailing List (800 members) • Local Early Years Providers
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Page 3 of 4 3.9. All groups listed above voted electronically apart from the pupils from Bishopton and Dargavel Primary schools, who placed their vote manually in classrooms, with schools compiling a total count to be added to electronic vote totals. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Outcome 4.1. The two-week timeframe to vote closed on 31 March 2025, and thereafter a final count was undertaken. 4.2. The final vote was submitted across two categories – the Pupils Vote (a total count across pupils from Bishopton Primary and Dargavel Primary), and a People’s Vote (a total count across all other stakeholder groups listed above). 4.3. The final count is provided in the table below: Pupil's Vote People's Vote Totals % BISH DARG Craigton Primary School 136 238 349 723 37.4% Rossland Primary School 115 70 291 476 24.6% Thistle Primary School 130 255 350 735 38% Total number of votes cast 1934 4.4. Thistle Primary School received the highest number of votes (38%) and relates to the nature surrounding the new school. 4.5. Members are asked to approve Thistle Primary School as the name for the new non-denominational primary school in Dargavel Village, Bishopton. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial None. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is fair - Involving the wider community such as pupils, parents, staff and other interested parties invites participation in the consultation
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Page 4 of 4 process and promotes a sense of ownership and pride across the community. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets None. 6. Information Technology None. 7. Equality and Human Rights The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights Whilst this paper doesn’t directly impact on Children’s Rights, the consultation process included engagement with children. This ensured that they had their voices heard, felt a sense of ownership, and ultimately played a leading role in the naming of the new primary school. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. Children’s Services NT/JL/CO Author: Jack Lochans – Learning Estate Manager Jack.lochans@renfrewshire.gov.uk