A public consultation is to be held on secondary school transfers for pupils leaving two East Dunbartonshire schools, but councillors in neighbouring North Lanarkshire have slammed the proposals as “disrespectful”.

East Dunbartonshire Council is to consult residents about the arrangements for children leaving Craighead and Lennoxtown Primary Schools. The proposals are that pupils of Craighead Primary, which is in Milton of Campsie, would have the option of moving to Kirkintilloch High School rather than the current options of attending Kilsyth Academy or St Nininan’s High School in Kirkintilloch.

Pupils leaving Lennoxtown would be have the additional option of going to Lenzie Academy rather than Kilsyth Academy or St Ninian’s.

Informal consultations launched in May found there was demand for both primary schools to be rezoned to a non-denominational secondary in East Dunbartonshire.

At a meeting of East Dunbartonshire’s education committee on Thursday, September 5, it was agreed to proceed with the formal consultation process, which will include all affected parents and pupils.

Joint leader of East Dunbartonshire Council Andrew Polson said: “Both formal consultations will take place from Monday, September 9, to Wednesday, October 30, and will include public meetings.

“They will follow the Scottish Government prescribed statutory consultation  process which will include Education Scotland carrying out an independent review and providing a report on the proposals. The council will respond to the feedback we receive through the consultation process and produce a report on the proposals.”

The consultation papers will be published three weeks before a final decision is made.

Cllr Polson added: “I would urge the communities of all the affected schools to have their say on the formal proposals by completing the relevant consultation by Wednesday, October 30.”

Howeve,r the proposals have angered councillors in Kilsyth. Councillor Jean Jones said: “This decision disrespects the pupils and staff of Kilsyth Academy.  “The Academy has always welcomed pupils from Milton of Campsie and Lennoxtown and our communities have long standing relationships and friendships.

“North Lanarkshire Council will stringently defend Kilsyth Academy and the opportunities available to pupils and staff within the school and its connected learning community.”

Another Kilsyth councillor, Heather McVey,  added: “This decision disregards well established and successful cross council boundary working. The report from East Dunbartonshire Council is disparaging of the educational and wider achievement opportunities at the Academy which is completely unacceptable.

“The consultation starts on Monday, September 9, and we encourage Kilsyth Academy pupils, parents and the wider community to make their views known. These proposals will have profound implications on the pupils, staff and the wider school community.”

Two public meetings will be held as part of the consulation. The one for Craighead Primary will be held at Kirkintilloch High School on October 1 from 6.30pm until 8pm. The meeting to discuss Lennoxtown Primary will take place at Lenzie Academy on September 24, also from 6.30pm until 8pm.

As of Monday, September 9, the consultation documents will also be available from the council website at   https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LennoxtownConsultation and   https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/CraigheadConsultation.

The papers will also be available from the Hubs and school offices at Lennoxtown Primary, Craighead Primary, St. Ninian’s High School, Lenzie Academy and Kirkintilloch High School from Monday.