Home   News   Article

Highland parents want more to be done for pupils with additional support needs as education cuts continue


By Scott Maclennan

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Highland Council has been told by parents and staff that more must be done for children with additional support needs (ASN) while planned cuts to the service will not be as deep as feared.

Education officials carried out a survey while looking at changing how the ASN service is delivered for some of the region’s most vulnerable pupils.

Results show 25 per cent of primary school parents and 43 per cent of secondary school parents do not think their children “receive the help they need to do well”.

That was supported by staff as 24 per cent claimed that children and young people are not "provided with experiences which meet their learning needs”.

In last year’s budget councillors agreed that £4.6 million would be taken out of the service by the end of the financial year which is “on schedule to be delivered”.

A further £2.7 million was set to be cut this year but that figure will now be reduced to £1.7 million thanks to Scottish Government funding.

The report goes before the council's education committee on Thursday, where worried parents and campaigners will stage a demonstration.

A final decision is due to be taken about the future of ASN in the Highlands in May.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More