Council delegation meets Army families

Date Added - 25/01/12

A senior delegation from Moray Council has returned from a successful meeting in Cambridgeshire with families from the Army’s 39 Engineer Regiment ahead of their planned move to RAF Kinloss.

The council’s convener, Councillor George McIntyre, was joined on the two-day visit by corporate director of education and social care Sandy Riddell, Forres Academy head Laurence Findlay and Kinloss Primary School head teacher Robert Hair.

During the visit to the Waterbeach base they made presentations to an audience of 65 parents on Scotland’s education system and the detail of courses and amenities offered by Moray schools. The parents asked a wide range of questions on issues such as examinations, qualifications, term dates and the curriculum.

A meeting also took place with representatives of head teachers from the Cambridge area which provided the opportunity to exchange detailed information to enable some initial planning to take place for the pupils’ move to Moray.

The delegation also met with senior personnel; from the battalion to consider some of the practical issues that require to be taken into consideration to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

Councillor McIntyre said the visit had been very well received by the families.

“This visit was all about making connections, providing key information and reassurances and helping parents to make informed decisions about moving their families,” he said.

“Many parents expressed the view that they found the presentations and follow-up discussions very helpful and that, although initially anxious, they are now looking forward to the move.”

Mr Riddell commended Mr Findlay and Mr Hair for giving such a comprehensive and informative presentation on what Moray has to offer.

He said: “This is the beginning of a close partnership between the regiment, the families and their education colleagues in Cambridge to ensure that the transition takes place in a carefully planned and sensitive manner.

“We want to minimise disruption for everyone, with the children’s education being our primary concern. But of course the service personnel and their families will be an important part of Moray’s future.”