Concerns over shared headships aired

Ally McGilvray 1606 - 1606 • Last updated 28 Aug 2008 13:34 0 Comments

CONCERNS over controversial plans to cut the number of headteachers in schools across the Borders will be aired at a meeting tonight (Wednesday).

The Educational Institute for Scotland will discuss Scottish Borders Council"s Transforming Children"s Services review at the George and Abbotsford Hotel in Melrose.

It believes that proposals to reduce the number of headteachers from 57 to 42, to manage the area"s 65 primary schools, could affect children"s education.

EIS regional secretary Kay Miller, who is also the schools representative on the local authority"s Education Executive, told the Border Telegraph: 'We are not keen on having any more shared headships.

'We have 2000 members in the Borders and many are unsure how this review will affect them.

'There has already been a lot of concern and this will give teachers the opportunity to come to the union to air their views.'

As well as plans to cut the number of headteachers, it is also proposed to relieve them of their teaching roles, as well as reduce the number of principal teachers, and depute headteacher posts as part of plans to develop A Curriculum for Excellence (ACE) - although education chiefs insist there will be no compulsory redundancies.

It follows a 15-month review of children"s services aimed at improving education and saving the cash-strapped authority millions of pounds each year.

Speaking at the launch of the public consultation at council headquarters, Councillor Graham Garvie, the local authority"s Executive Member for Culture, Sport and Community Learning, said: 'One of the problems with our schools is attainment - we need to raise expectations with pupils, staff and parents.'

Meanwhile, education chiefs have announced details of a series of public meetings to allow parents to question the plans throughout September - including at Selkirk High School (September 4), Earlston High School (September 9); and Galashiels Academy (September 11). All meeting start at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, as part of the review, the local authority confirmed libraries and museums across the Borders could be passed out of council control.

Earlier this year, the Border Telegraph revealed Scottish Borders Council want to hand over the running of community services to the Borders Sports and Leisure Trust (BSLT), which manages eight leisure centres across the region.

But fears have been voiced that could mean the closure of less viable services.

A public meeting to discuss the move will be held in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, on October 2, at 7 p.m.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PROPOSALS? Email reporter: amcgilvray@bordertelegraph.com

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 27 Aug 08

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