UPDATE: Four of five Inverness city secondary schools to close on Wednesday amid national teachers' strike action by the SSTA and NASUWT unions
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FOUR of five Inverness city secondary schools will close to all pupils on Wednesday amid fresh strike action by Scottish teaching unions SSTA and NASUWT.
Inverness High School, Inverness Royal Academy, Culloden Academy and Charleston Academy have taken the decision on safety grounds due to staff shortages arising from the national industrial action.
Millburn Academy will only close to S1-S3 pupils and remain open for S4-S6.
Across Scotland, members of the SSTA and NASUWT unions will walk out on either Wednesday or Thursday this week as part of the 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, Inverness High School 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.”
Like other schools, parents and guardians of pupils entitled to free school meals will 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.”
At Culloden Academy, rector Dr James Vance told parents there was "not enough staff to cover for even a partial opening".
While Inverness Royal Academy will close on the day, rector Nigel Engstrand said the school's Christmas concert planned for 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday would go ahead as it was a social school community event, outwith working hours, involving a small number of staff not affiliated with two unions.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “The NASUWT has given The Highland Council notice that their members will be taking strike action on Wednesday, December 7.
"Parents will be notified by letter and decisions will be made based on risk assessment and local circumstances at their school.”
The spokeswoman was not able to provide a comprehensive list of primary and other local schools affected.
