Badenoch MSP calls for delay on new cluster schools in Highlands
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has called on Highland Council to defer a decision on new plans for cluster head teachers across rural schools in the region.
The council’s Education, Care and Adult Services (ECAS) Committee is due to decide on the matter as it meets in Inverness today.
However, Ms Forbes made the call to delay a final decision on account of concerns from constituents who believe there has not been sufficient consultation on the move.
She said: "Based on conversations with local councillors and correspondence from worried parents in my constituency, it would appear that there has not been sufficient consultation on this particular proposal.
"I completely understand that the council is facing some very difficult decisions with limited resources, but they are not short on time.
"What is being proposed is a significant restructure in the management of our local schools, and one would assume that major changes such as this must go through a robust six-week or 30-day school consultation as per the Scottish Education Directive 2010.
"I don’t expect everyone to be happy with the end result, but we do have to allow teachers, parents and other stakeholders the opportunity to have their say in a transparent and fair way."
Earlier this week, Kate Forbes MSP wrote to Highland Council’s head of education Jim Steven asking for clarification on what consultation has taken place, what head teachers are expected to do, and whether the proposals will need the full backing of Highland Council.
In her constituency, schools in and around Plockton, Invergarry, Mallaig and the Small Isles cluster would all be affected.
Across the wider Highlands, the proposed new arrangements would take place in schools in Tomatin, Daviot, Dornoch, Lochcarron, and the north coast of Scotland.
• For more on this story see today’s Strathy - now out.
