Teachers will fill the gap after visiting specialist cutbacks

Teachers across Perth and Kinross will spend more time on PE and expressive arts lessons when an education shake-up comes into force at the start of the new term.

The local authority agreed at its last budget to cut back on using visiting specialists in primary schools. The move cut around 10 posts and saved £325,000, but it means extra work for existing staff.

Councillor Caroline Shiers, convener of the local authority’s lifelong learning committee, has called for talks with officials to look at how the new set-up could work.

She said: “I have asked for a meeting with officers before the start of the new term to receive detail on how PE and expressive arts will be delivered in all primary schools from the start of the new academic year.

“I will also be seeking an update report to the lifelong learning committee.”

She added: “PE, art, drama and music form a key part of our children’s education and are an important part of the curriculum, as they help young people develop confidence and encourage creativity in young, developing minds.

“I am keen to see for myself how these aspects of the curriculum are delivered.”

A council spokeswoman said full-time teachers will continue to receive their allocated RCCT (reduced class time). “Some head teachers will have the flexibility to recruit staff to deliver RCCT at a time and in a way which suits their school, for example by engaging teachers to teach science or computing science,” she said.

“All pupils will continue to receive teaching in expressive arts and PE from qualified teachers, though not all from visiting specialists.”