Teachers’ union accuses council of diverting funds

attainment and was not to be used in a “political game”.

The source continued: “This unacceptable example shows why it’s vital that headteachers are the decisionmakers on how the money is used. The council have engineered a cut and are now engaged in moral blackmail against teachers simply so they can keep control of the purse strings. That delivers nothing new for pupils and will do nothing to raise attainment.

“They are even trying to force this through in the next couple of weeks, making it impossible for schools to consult with parents and the community.”

Meanwhile, Greg Dempster, general secretary of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes Scotland, said in a letter: “The action proposed in North Lanarkshire appears to be entirely at odds with the conditions attached to the funding.”

A North Lanarkshire spokesman said: “The council has been working with groups of headteachers to create a choice of interventions aimed at closing the attainment gap.

“The Scottish Government’s own executive agency, Education Scotland, has confirmed that classroom assistants have, in their words, ‘high cost and limited impact’. That is why we have created a new enhanced support role, which will be available to head teachers in September 2017 to allow for upskilling, subject to headteachers’ requirements.

“We agree with the Scottish Government that headteachers are best placed to make decisions around the support needed in their schools.

“It is notable that the vast majority of headteachers concur with the approach taken, which reinforces North Lanarkshire’s position as an authority which works collaboratively with school leaders, the Government and others to successfully close the attainment gap.”

The spokesman added the council’s chief executive had met the Government’s education director-general Paul Jukes last Friday to discuss the challenges faced. GLASGOW Warriors Nick Grigg and James Malcolm joined Miss Scotland Lucy Kerr in Victoria Park to launch the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk 2017. The April 30 event raises money for Scotland’s charities, starting at Glasgow Green and finishing in Loch Lomond.

The Warriors are encouraging supporters to take part for Hearts & Balls, a charity which helps rugby look after its own. This year, for every £1 raised, £1.10 will go to walkers’ charities. Entrants can choose from three lengths of walk. Picture: Mark Gibson