Inverness High School to close on Wednesday amid fresh strike action by Scottish teaching unions SSTA and NASUWT
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Inverness High School will close to all pupils on Wednesday amid national strike action by teachers.
Industrial action has left the 513-pupil city centre secondary with insufficient staff numbers to ensure the safety of children.
Across Scotland, members of the SSTA and NASUWT unions will walk out on either Wednesday or Thursday this week as part of an ongoing dispute over teachers' pay.
While some local authorities, including East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire and Scottish Borders, have opted to close all schools, others including Highland Council have taken the decision on a school-by-school basis.
Industrial action by members of the EIS last week led to the closure of almost every school in Scotland.
In a note to parents, headteacher John Rutter explained the decision as unavoidable.
“The safe supervision of children and young people is of the utmost importance,” Mr Rutter stated.
“Given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staffing in school on Wednesday, a decision has been made to close Inverness High School to all pupils.
“I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause; however, it is hoped that a clear decision will enable you to make plans ahead for the disruption expected.”
The headteacher said parents and guardians of pupils entitled to free school meals would receive a BACS payment.
Highland Council has been formally notified by the two unions of an intention to strike, but Mr Rutter added: “If there are any developments at a national level, and if strike action is averted in schools, this will be notified through the council website and through our social media, as well as out usual communication channels.”
Highland Council has been asked for comment.
