Scottish Borders Local Association

Call to end 'unholy rush' in schools plan

Published Date: 16 October 2008

By Andrew Keddie

PRESSURE is mounting on Scottish Borders Council to defer radical plans to cut headships and promoted teaching posts across the region's schools.

This week, two opposition councillors called for a postponement of any decision on the main recommendations in the Transforming Children's Services (TCS) review, compiled by education officials and due to be implemented next May.

A motion for a debate to be delayed until December was defeated last month and the full council is due to ratify the document, despite overwhelming opposition from the main teaching union, the EIS, in November.

This week, Councillor Sandy Aitchison (Borders Party) told TheSouthern: "I have yet to meet a teacher of any position who thinks this is a good proposal.

"I have also yet to feel that officers charged with its implementation are entirely on board.

"And I have yet to speak to a councillor outwith SBC's executive of any persuasion who is for this document."

He claimed the "real rationale" behind the changes is the need to find a five per cent saving in the budgets of education and social work (which will take responsibility for pupils with additional needs).

And SNP councillor Kenneth Gunn told Monday's meeting of Selkirk Community Council: "There is an unholy rush to get this through in this year's budget round.

"There is a huge raft of changes which will have a major effect on schools, including Selkirk High which already has a falling roll.

"If, as we are told, the council's budget will be difficult, this document must surely be put on the back burner."

Cllr Gunn's view reflects that of the EIS which has told its 1,000 members in the Borders: "Even if a decision is taken by councillors in November, the timescale is ludicrously short."

Published just before the summer holidays, the TCS recommends reducing the number of primary heads by 57 to 42 by introducing shared headships, cutting the number of secondary depute heads by nine – one from each high school – and slashing the number of posts for principal teachers from 101 to 54 in primaries and from 170 to 115 in secondaries.

Following a series of recent consultation meetings, director of education Glenn Rodger said responses from parents and staff "have already had an impact and we are beginning to review some aspects of the initial recommendations".

But that does not assuage Councillor Aitchison.

"This is being rushed through because we have to meet a deadline to fulfil the (2009/10) budget timetable, but that has nothing to do with education," he told us.

"The whole process should be delayed until the end of the present academic year (next summer) to allow it to be properly discussed and evaluated before it is implemented.

“Rush and hurry equals inefficiency and mistakes. The pressure exerted on our head teachers is now getting completely out of hand and this will reach ridiculous levels under the current proposals.

“Already this summer, we have seen changes to devolved school management [DSM] budgets and heads are now responsible for their own heating, lighting and refuse collection, as well as arts and PE.

“There are admirable points in the TCS document, not least the better integration of services to children who need special assistance.

“What I cannot find is any evidence the more controversial steps will improve the educational experience of the child who does not require additional help.

“From the cuts envisaged, it is obvious that this child will suffer most.”

A spokesperson for SBC’s education department told TheSouthern: “The timescale of the consultation was discussed and agreed by head teachers before it was launched and more than 20 teachers volunteered to help out in the engagement meetings. Since June, we have held three head teacher conferences and all-day meetings where this has been discussed.

“Regarding the view that the review is affecting children’s education and should be delayed until the end of the academic year to allow it to be properly discussed, we absolutely refute this.

“Our staff are professionals and their focus is on helping their pupils achieve their potential. The last thing staff want is this dragging on. The engagement process has been about principles and broad ideas.

“If we get approval to proceed in November, then we can begin detailed discussions with individual schools and individual members of staff.”

Mr Aitchison said he hopes all councillors will “vote courageously” in November.

“They should remember that further cuts will be difficult to justify in a couple of years when they next go back to the electorate,” he added.

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