Scottish Borders Local Association

TCS turns out to be worst of all worlds

Published Date: 21 May 2009

Letters to the editor

Selkirk High School Parent Partnership would like to respond to your article regarding the loss of computing at Higher level (Southern, May 7). The situation is not quite as simple as represented by Councillor Bhatia and the council spokesperson.

It is true to say that pupil choices in schools vary from year-to-year, depending on how many want to do which subjects.

However, other factors also affect this. Routine funding of schools is tied to the number of pupils in the school on a year-by-year basis. If the roll falls, even temporarily, the school gets less money and as most of the money spent in schools goes on staff, this equates mainly to loss of teachers.

In a smaller school like Selkirk, with fewer staff, the impact is worse. According to the formula used to calculate roll-based funding, Selkirk had to lose two staff. Other Borders secondaries find themselves in a similar situation.

The implementation of Transforming Children’s Services (TCS) requires a reduction in the number of a certain kind of principal teacher post as a priority. Packages were therefore on offer to people occupying such posts which met TCS criteria. So the reduction in posts above conveniently facilitates TCS. We know that further staff cuts or their financial equivalent are being sought as part of TCS implementation this year.

Given the above, we believe that the head teacher has made the best possible decision in extremely difficult circumstances. Parents should be reassured that the school has worked hard to support and advise the students affected and nearly all have reselected their options for next year. This is the only comfort that can be offered to Susan Rae, her family and other parents and students affected.

In our response to the consultation to TCS last year, we said that there was nothing like enough detail regarding the implementation of this ambitious programme and we had major concerns as to whether Scottish Borders Council had the capacity to carry it out properly in the proposed timescales.

Our worst forebodings seem to be confirmed. Heads have been struggling to get information to enable them to plan the curriculum in time for next year, hence the short notice for changes. Information for parents and school staff is minimal – there are very few opportunities to ask questions and get straight answers, and we have many more questions to ask. Worst of all, parents were told that if we accepted TCS, schools would be protected from further cuts this financial year. We have ended up with the worst of all worlds. We have the hidden cost of TCS implementation as well as its required cuts.

Like last year, we lose 1.8 per cent of the budget to “efficiency savings” – all this on top of the two posts cut due to our falling roll.

If the authority really is committed to effectively supporting Selkirk High, the approach to funding for smaller secondary schools must be reviewed urgently.

How can this all add up to the “improved services” and the “excellent education” promised? What chance does our school have of continuing to provide the education to the standard parents have come to expect and respect?

To try to seek answers, Selkirk High School Parent Partnership is inviting Ms Bhatia and council representatives to come and speak to parents – so please look out for further details.

Selkirk High School Parent Partnership

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