This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

As you may already know, earlier this week campaigners from the Isle of Mull lost the latest stage in their fight over the location of a new school for the island.

We have already reported the content of the judgment, which is in favour of the local council rather than the islanders. Put simply, Lord Cubie found that the council’s decision-making process was not unlawful, which means that officials can now – at least in theory – proceed with their plans.

This is obviously a very emotional time for those on Mull, especially those who were hoping that they might not have to send their children away from home at the age of 11.

One local mother has written a powerful poem and shared it on social media. In it she says that her community feels “the dull weight of something slipping out of reach”, with parents once again facing the “familiar ache” of sending their children away and “swallowing words they cannot afford to say.”

Having allowed themselves to hope that things might get better, families on the island now face the prospect of seeing the status quo entrenched for future generations – but as I explained in my analysis following the release of the judgment, this is not necessarily the end of the road.

Campaigners have lost a technical fight over council procedures, but pointed questions about children’s rights are now being asked, including by experts in the........

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