The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Arts cuts will set kids back 40 years’
Education: Teacher warns arts cuts ‘will turn clock back on education’
A NORTH-EAST teacher has warned plans to axe specialists in music, art and drama will set education in the northeast back 40 years.
Sheila Robertson, who was once performing arts department head at Meldrum Academy, has criticised Aberdeenshire Council’s proposals to overhaul the education system.
The Conservative and Liberal Democrat-led administration is working to amalgamate visiting specialists – who cover schools across wide areas – into core staff.
And last night Mrs Robertson, who is also a former visiting specialist in music, said the plans would hit rural schools the hardest.
“In my capacity as a music teacher in secondary school it was clear when pupils arrived in S1 which pupils had
got music or performing arts input,” she said. “There was a lack of confidence in those who hadn’t. It was noticeable.
“We want to give our children the very best start in life with their education. We’re turning back the clock 40 years.”
Under the scheme – which was first mooted in 2014 but has now been
“I find it incomprehensible that they could go ahead with these plans”
pushed back on to the council agenda – visiting specialists will be asked to take jobs as subject teachers in secondary schools, or work as general classroom teachers at primary level.
Aberdeenshire Council is already consulting with the 140 affected staff.
Mrs Robertson, who retired last year, said that although some youngsters would be lucky and find themselves in primary classes with talented specialists, others would miss out on the expertise.
She added: “I know of specialists in their late-50s and they’re being asked to retrain if they’ve not got primary qualifications. Who pays for that? Is it cost-effective?
“Rural schools already have a question-mark over them about staying open. If the schools are not able to deliver full curriculum expertise I don’t think parents will be happy. They will vote with their feet.”
North-east SNP MSP Gillian Martin said the intervention of an experienced teacher showed how deep the concerns about the policy run.
“I find it incomprehensible the administration is choosing to go ahead with these plans,” Mrs Martin said. “Sheila’s voice is just one of many working in the teaching sector and she has been brave enough to speak out.
“Specialist teachers provide additional support in arts, music and sport and it is a travesty they could be lost.”
She encouraged all concerned parents to “write to their councillors” to demand answers.
But last night Maria Walker, director of education in Aberdeenshire, tried to calm fears about the impact of the changes.
“All primary schools offer a broad range of curricular experience delivered by teaching staff – subjects such as PE, music and art should be part of the everyday learning experience for our children, and the changes to visiting specialists will help us to deliver this aspiration,” she said.
“Any changes to staff roles and responsibilities are always met with uncertainty and some fear.
“However, I would like to personally reassure all affected staff that their future with the council is secure.
“They have knowledge which we wish to retain in our schools and there are opportunities available including training and support for those affected.”
Last night Conservative councillor Gillian Owen, chairwoman of the education committee, said: “This teacher is clearly picking up on the claims being propagated by the SNP and Labour opposition grouping; the claims are baseless but are clearly causing real concerns to teaching professionals and to parents.
“Can I be clear; there is no reduction to teachers in primary schools in Aberdeenshire, nor is this administration proposing to close rural schools."
She said opposition councillors should not “alarm parents and teachers for perceived political gain".