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Drumduan School saved from closure


By Lorna Thompson

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Drumduan School.
Drumduan School.

A PRIVATE school has been brought back from the brink after a plan emerged to clear its debts.

Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton has been a high-profile supporter of Drumduan School on Clovenside Road, which, in May, told parents and teachers that it was facing serious financial difficulties, and in early June, that its trustees were stepping down.

The school, based at the site for 30 years, has been struggling to pay employees and bills. There have been staff redundancies and cost-cutting measures.

However, in the last few weeks, a plan formed for a local community benefit co-operative, Findhorn Ecovillage-based Ekopia Social Investments, to raise £400,000 from ethical small investors, and to purchase a share in the grounds and buildings, which will allow the school to clear its debts. Ekopia, founded in 2001, raises funds to support local community enterprises. The plan received unanimous endorsement from Drumduan Friends, Teachers and Parents Association (FTPA) members at its recent EGM.

A statement made on social media by the FTPA said: "The EGM was almost unbelievably positive. A massive turnout, and a unanimous vote – 95 out of 95 people – for the plan for Ekopia to purchase a 60 per cent share of the lower school building and grounds, which will allow the school to clear all its current debts.

"Eighty students are expected to begin the term, which means that the school may even make a modest surplus this year.

"The teachers felt full of positive energy, and have been joined by great new colleagues."

Despite serious debts inherited by the new trustees, supporters are hopeful the situation can now be turned around.

Drumduan FTPA formed in May when the crisis became clear and launched an online crowdfunder campaign to help save the school. On August 21 a Drumduan FTPA crowdfunder raised £9398 within 56 days. Some of the funds have already been used to help teachers with emergency funds for rent and bills over the summer, and to pay for legal and accountancy advice.

However, the school is still facing uncertainty.

Tom Allan, who founded the appeal, said: "We are still facing some lean times.

"There have been staff redundancies and cost-cutting measures, and we will all need to rally round to keep the school going in the next, critical year."

Parents, teachers and children gathered in the school grounds on Friday to prepare for the autumn term and plan fundraising events for the next year.

Hollywood star Swinton became involved with the school in 2013, but resigned as a director in April this year – months after her direct appeal to the Scottish Government secretary for education and skills John Swinney to push for more support for the school.

Drumduan School's education principles are based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy.

The aim is to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner.



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