Nairn Academy closure could be repeated across the Highlands due to supply teacher shortage
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A SHORTAGE of supply teachers could see the closure situation which hit Nairn Academy this week rear its head again at any time, according to a union.
S1-3 pupils were sent home on Monday after 15 teachers phoned in sick and only one supply teacher could be drafted in.
They went back to school on Wednesday after Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson overruled a decision by the head teacher to remain closed to first year students.
Head of education Nicky Grant and her backroom team took on classroom duties.
The council has insisted the 226 supply teachers on its books are enough and a council spokeswoman rebuffed any suggestion of an unwillingness to pay for substitutes, insisting pupil and staff welfare was “paramount” in any decision to close a school.
However a spokeswoman for the EIS union said difficulties in teacher recruitment – particularly supply staff – were “well-documented”.
She said: “During the winter months, when instances of sickness absence will increase as a result of seasonal illnesses, this can create additional challenges for schools and local authorities. Where there is difficulty in ensuring adequate teacher cover for illness absences, schools will take a wide range of factors into account, including the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff and the potential impact on learning and teaching, when determining the best course of action in these cases.”
Related article: S1-S3 pupils at Nairn Academy sent home from school
