Monday 24th October, 7pm, Poolewe Village Hall
Present: Richard Greene, Maurice McIntyre, Robbie Bain, Audrey Sinclair, Isabelle Campbell, John Port, Gillian Morrison, Jennifer Robertson, Kenny Nelson, Lyn Howard, Kirsty Vickerstaff, Debbie Townsend, Heather Widdows, Lloyd Gudgeon, Huw Banister, Lorna Nelson, Timothy Claydon, Tani Forbes Irving, Susan MacLean
Apologies: Calum MacSween, Jean Urquhart, Fiona Ross, Tania MacKenzie, Susan MacLean – Kinlochewe, Alasdair Wright
Richard thanked everyone for coming to the meeting, which was called by the REAct group who wanted to meet with their local councillors to discuss the situation regarding staff cuts at Gairloch High School.
Richard wanted to clear up some points from the meeting on the 24th August – it was minuted that there was concern that there was no representation at the meeting by any of our local councillors. Richard was notified at short notice about this meeting (the meeting was called only a week beforehand due to Mr MacSween being in the school on the 24th and offering to stay on for a meeting in the evening) and he could not attend as he was going on leave. He did apologise for not passing the information onto the other Councillors to give them the opportunity to attend in his absence. It was agreed that all future correspondence would be sent to all 4 Councillors. Richard also wanted it minuted that none of the 4 local councillors believe that “education was not a priority”. The group were encouraged to hear this.
From the meeting on the 24th August, the main points to be discussed are the formula and the Commission on Rural education.
The formula – This is on the Highland Council Senior Management team desk for discussion (Calum MacSween, Ian Murray, etc). The formula will be looked at and can be changed if possible within existing resources. Concern was raised that even if the formula is altered; stability – for staff or pupils – is still not assured. The linear formula requires a stopping point where no further staff can be lost, regardless of the number of pupils in the school.
Regarding devolved school management – at present any savings made by Mr Port in heating and lighting for example, goes straight back into the central pot. It would be more beneficial at a local level, if any savings were given to the SMT in schools to use where best needed locally eg staffing.
The commission – Consultations should take place by 12th December and the Rural Education Commission has to report back Spring 2012.
It was noted that the Headteachers of the other small schools (less than 300 pupils) are now concerned over similar issues and a meeting has been convened with Hugh Fraser (Director ECS) and Calum MacSween (Acting Head Education) on 3rd November to discuss.
The Councillors were urged to take back to their meetings that staff cuts have an impact on the wider community – people move into the area because of what the school can offer, people will not move in and others will move out if our curriculum is reduced. People applying for work locally enquire about the High School. This has a wider impact on health services etc.
The Parent Council have still not heard back from Drew Miller since the meeting in April. Richard offered to chase this up.
Stability – pupils need to know that when they start a course that there will be a teacher in place until they sit their certificate exam. Staff need full time jobs with job security as we have already lost a teacher (and subject) due to a 4 day week post being offered. Richard said he would take this to Calum MacSween.
The Councillors said they would do what they could for REAct but there were more of their urban counterparts compared to them and this is not favourable in a voting situation. They would ask for a fairer formula – they don’t want dying communities.
At present there are no minimum number of teachers required to keep a school running and no defined core curriculum. It is hoped that these issues will also be addressed. There is an allowance in Primary schools and not currently in Secondary schools.
Discussions are going on at present regarding the budget for the next financial year. Councillors are involved in these budgetary meetings.
Conclusion: The Councillors assured REAct that they will go back to Education, united in their support of Gairloch High School. Jean Urquhart is an MSP and she can provide funding for rural schools. They will do their best to fight our concerns and they will emphasise our remoteness. Richard agreed to bring the matter to Councillors at their Ward 6 meeting on the 7th November and to agree collectively a submission to the Rural Education Commission.
The Councillors have also noted that the Head teacher has worked hard to provide a wide curriculum within the contraints being made on him, also the flexibility of the school, the willingness of the staff to work hard to provide this curriculum plus extra activities beyond the school day and the parental co-operation to help out where needed. The school now needs the full support of the Council to back up all that is being done.
Richard thanked everyone for attending. The meeting closed at 8.45pm
