​Management of Highland schools

The future strategic direction for schools as set out in Highland Council’s Management of School’s Programme was agreed by Members of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee today (26 January).

Members also agreed to proposals for 6 associated school groups including:  Kilchuimen, Kinlochbervie, Dornoch, Plockton, Lochaber and Millburn (Inverness).

Proposals for the Farr (Sutherland) and Mallaig associated school groups have been deferred until the March meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee to allow further consultation with local staff, parents and communities.

Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee said: “Members of this committee previously agreed to the Management of Schools Programmes in October 2015. We recognised that Head Teachers required more support and that Highland needs to develop a new model for provision of education into the future.

“This agreement that we have committed to again today is about sustaining education in local communities across the Highlands. It is not about one-size-fits all and it is not about school closures.

“Assurance has been given today that where there has been lack of consultation this will be addressed.”

Bill Alexander, Director of Care and Learning added: “The starting point for the Management of Schools Programme was back in May 2015 when we began with a series of seminars for Members and Teachers. Highland is not alone in this approach as our Northern Alliance colleagues are also committed to the model of full time Head Teachers better supported to lead learning and teaching.”

A future report will come back to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee in March 2017.