WE write in response to some correspondence (Letters, October 28 & 29) about your story that the Scottish Government is considering our proposal to run our school autonomously (“Sturgeon enters talks over radical plan for new school”, The Herald, October 24).

The right to denominational schools exists within current legislation. Scotland strives to be a diverse society and it is disappointing to read some intolerant views in some of the letters published. There is not and never has been a shred of evidence that denominational schools encourage sectarianism. In any case, this is not the issue in question.

What many seem to miss is that the intention of our proposal is to bring focus to the opportunity we believe exists to consider alternative and innovative ways of delivering education. We want to focus on keeping our wonderful primary school, which, for 140 years, has delivered a consistently high quality of education and has served several sections of the community - young and old - in many and diverse ways.

Yes, Milngavie may encounter fewer social challenges than some other communities but this does not mean that our children aren't entitled to their parents “doing our best” for them. If we can nurture our parents' talents and those of the wider community, why shouldn't we be empowered to do so? In fact, this might mean that some state funding can be freed up for those schools and children who need more resources.

Our school has also been at the leading edge of innovation and we would like to continue and expand on this, drawing on talents from across our community. Within Milngavie, we are also lacking in sports facilities and, this proposal would allow us to access them and bring them, free of charge, to other community groups in our beloved town.

St Joseph's includes children of families drawn from across a broad social spectrum and this includes children who receive free school meals. We also have a higher proportion of children with additional support needs (ASN). Attainment is clearly a priority, but so also is ensuring that all of our children achieving their potential – academic and non-academic. We want more powers to help make this happen.

What is clear is that key factors for attainment are reduced class sizes and parental involvement. East Dunbartonshire Council's proposal to have our children educated in another town, in larger classes, and for no good reason, will likely lead to reduced attainment. If we can attract third sector funding to make this happen, why shouldn't we be given at least the right to explore this?

Scottish children are still being taught in the same way that we were one generation and two generations ago. Isn't it now time to begin a discussion on alternative ways of delivering education to our children and still within the umbrella of state provision?

Helen Williams, Pam Hughes, Paula Speirs and Margaret Wilson,

Keep St Joseph's in Milngavie campaign group,

c/o 59 Drumllin Drive, Milngavie.