Plan for joint head

Jun 10 2008

COUNCILLORS have unanimously backed a two-year pilot project which could see one head teacher managing two or three small primary schools.

But the shared headship scheme is not a money-saving measure, Councillor George Hayton assured the lifelong learning committee.

“The chances are that there will not be a saving,” stressed the committee vice-convener.

It was pointed out that there would still be a principal teacher in each of the schools.

In a report to the meeting, John Fyffe, executive director (Education and Children’s Services), explained: “Having one head teacher oversee more than one school would reduce duplication of management duties.”

Mr Douglas Stewart, one of the teaching representatives on the committee and a member of the EIS union, wasn’t in favour.

He said: “We have maintained that every school should have its own head teacher.

“Every school has its own identity and a full-time head teacher is a vital component of that.”