OIC to “prioritise” hostel places

Pupils from Orkney’s outer isles, who previously had a “free pass” to stay in the Papdale Halls of Residence, could now be prioritised, with some being refused entry.

Currently, there are 78 pupils at the hostel, and with capacity at the new halls — scheduled for completion in August this year — limited to 70, OIC councillors approved a “prioritisation of entitlement”, at yesterday’s meeting of the education, leisure and housing committee.

A report before the committee stated: “Unless council introduces the means to control entitlement to a place in Papdale Halls, future rolls may exceed the capacity of the halls.”

Councillors agreed that from August 2014, “absolute entitlement” to a place in halls will be given to pupils from Sanday, Stronsay, Westray and Papa Westray who normally transfer at the beginning of S5, and pupils from North Ronaldsay and Eday who transfer at the beginning of S1.

Priority will then be given to pupils from Hoy, Flotta and Egilsay, who want to attend KGS, but do not want to travel daily.

Next will be pupils whose parents make a compelling case — for example, their child requires courses not available at the junior high school.

The requests of pupils from Rousay, Shapinsay or Wyre who do not want to travel daily will then be considered.

Last on the priority list are pupils from Norway who are part of the exchange programme.

Although recommending the proposals, the committee also agreed that the executive director of education, leisure and housing should consider each case on its own merit, and have the power to waive the policy in exceptional circumstances.