Fate of classroom staff to be learned as cuts hit schools

50 vacancies scrapped as council looks to soften blow of job losses

THE fates of scores of pupil support assistants will be known today as it emerged head teachers will be briefed that up to 50 vacant posts are to be “deleted” from the education system.

Highland Council chiefs, in a review of additional support needs (ASN) in schools, have already revealed that 63 full-time-equivalent pupil support assistant posts will be axed in their latest round of budget-saving measures.

Now meetings will be held today to announce a further cull of posts.

And with many of the PSAs parttime, union chiefs – who are balloting staff over potential strike action – believe the cuts will almost certainly affect far more than 113 employees.

In a memo seen by The Press and Journal, council bosses say around 50 PSA jobs that are vacant, or will become vacant this summer, will not now be advertised and will be “deleted” from the education system.

One senior councillor, who did not want to be named, branded the proposals “draconian” and said: “These are the start of cuts to education which will have a serious impact on children and parents across the Highlands.”

Paul MacPherson, of the GMB union, said the move to ballot members came as a direct result of anger expressed to the union over proposed PSA cuts, but refrained from commenting further until the outcome of today’s meetings.

Up to 50 vacant education jobs for specialist support staff in Highland schools are being “deleted”.

Head teachers from across the region will be briefed on the latest drastic cutbacks at a series of meetings today.

Cash-strapped Highland Council chiefs have already revealed 63 full-time equivalent pupil support assistant (PSA) posts will be axed in the latest round of budget measures.

Many of the PSAs are part-time and union chiefs – who are balloting staff over potential strike action – believe the impact will eventually impact upon far more than 100 employees.

Even if “only” the 113 posts already identified are affected, that represents a full 10% of all the 1,100 additional support needs staff in schools.

In a memo seen by The P&J, council bosses say around 50 PSA jobs that are vacant, or will become vacant this summer, will not now be advertised and will be “deleted” from the education system.

One senior councillor, who did not want to be named, said the steps being taken were “draconian” and risked damaging education in the Highlands.

They said: “The council chiefs seem delighted that they are meeting their targets, but they don’t actually understand the impact this will have on other staff, teachers, special needs pupils and their parents.

The council memo states: “Final numbers and locations will be confirmed on Monday and PSA staff in schools will be briefed in person by their head teacher.

“With nearly 50 vacancies identified for deletion there will be a small number of staff to deploy into other roles. Some have already expressed an interest in doing that.”

Paul MacPherson, convener for the GMB Highland Council branch, said the move to ballot members on strike action came as a direct result of anger expressed to the union over proposed PSA cuts, but refrained from commenting further until the outcome of meetings.

The financial cuts, the union rep said, would see £700,000 saved this financial year – to address an overspend from last year – with a further £1 million to be cut in each of the next two years.

The council memo adds: “We confirmed that this year’s allocations would take into account the need to make reductions of 63 FTE PSA posts for the next school session in August.

“We currently have over 1,100 staff in these roles.

“Since then, there have been discussions with head teachers in the schools potentially affected by reduction of 63 FTE PSA posts.

“Trade unions will also be advised from Monday about which schools will see a reduction in posts as part of this process and how that will be managed.”

A Highland Council spokeswoman said they were continuing to work with trade unions on “ensuring a smooth transition” for the staff affected.

Paul MacPherson