SCOTLAND’S largest teaching union has raised fears over controversial plans for a radical shake-up of management at Argyll and Bute schools - and a petition against the proposals has already attracted more than 1,500 signatures.

Earlier this year the Advertiser revealed that Argyll and Bute Council’s ‘education change programme’ had been paused to allow for an extra consultation period, with engagement being sought on the school leadership model and potential clustering of schools.

Executive head posts had been proposed, each with responsibility for up to eight schools.

Now the EIS union claims the move could see the number of head teacher roles slashed from 84 to around 14.

‘Early adopter’ clusters were suggested in Dunoon, on Bute, and in Campbeltown, with further rollout across all Argyll and Bute schools.

Though the impact on Helensburgh and Lomond primary schools is not yet known, parent councils and teachers are being encouraged to share their views.

READ MORE: Petition launched by teaching union against Argyll and Bute 'school cluster' idea

The parent council at Hermitage Primary School in Helensburgh has shared the petition via social media, saying that it “looks like we have a fight coming up”, though a spokesperson for the group told the Advertiser that members had not yet met to formally discuss the issue in more detail.

Alison Palmer, Argyll and Bute local area secretary for the EIS and former head teacher at Arrochar Primary, said: “EIS members have major concerns over these proposals and members locally have highlighted a number of issues.

She said: “It is unclear from the proposals exactly what the role and remit of executive heads would be or what the true educational rationale is, but the potential budget savings are clear - cutting the number of head teachers from 80 to around 14.

“Teacher unions have been invited to attend a presentation next week. This consultation will then be rolled out to school staff, parent councils, parents and communities. I would urge everyone interested and involved in education to attend and make their opinions known.

“We have also started a very successful petition raising our concerns against the development of an education change programme in Argyll and Bute.

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“We have already gathered over 1,500 signatures supporting us. Further comments will be made once we have seen the presentation.”

Fears have been raised over potential redundancies, losing the identities of individual schools and exacerbating the current recruitment crisis for head teachers in rural primary schools.

A statement on the EIS petition page says: “The EIS is concerned about the development of an education change programme in Argyll and Bute.

“This change seeks to establish school clusters with executive head posts which would decrease the current number of head teachers from 84 to around 14.

“There is significant member concern about how this will affect schools, teachers and pupils.

“The EIS believes that school leadership is critical and every school and its community should have a head teacher in post.

"Our starting point should always be to locate leadership as close as possible to practitioner practice.

“We believe these changes are simply a cost cutting exercise that will not empower schools and support attainment but rather will damage educational delivery, quality and equity in Argyll and Bute.”

READ MORE: Helensburgh teachers balloted by EIS amid threat of industrial action across Argyll and Bute

A council spokesperson said: “No decisions have been made regarding the future of our education service.

“We are in the process of carrying out a thorough, open and accessible consultation, listening to all stakeholders, and the feedback will be reported to the community services committee. We want the best outcomes for our children and young people and they are at the heart of all our work.

“We would encourage everyone to get involved and give us their feedback through the consultation process.”

Helensburgh and Lomond’s MSP Jackie Baillie said: “I have spoken to local teachers and parents and understand their very real concerns about these proposed changes to the role of headteachers.

“These changes will see potential job losses and will undoubtedly have negative impacts on pupils, teachers and parents alike.

“I have written to Argyll and Bute Council to raise these concerns and I stand with local teachers, pupils and parents who are very concerned about these changes.”

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