Teacher cuts have not been ruled out by Angus Council after the authority’s controversial decision to move to a four-and-a-half day secondary school week.
After earlier this month agreeing the timetabling change which will see schools go from 35 to 33 weekly periods after August 2017, the authority has also admitted it is still to finalise which day the half day will fall on.
Education chiefs say the switch will allow for a maximisation of resources through a more efficient staffing model and believe the half day will open the door to greater opportunities around work experience and extra-curricular activities.
But the council will have to find £370,000 of additional transport costs and a senior education source has told The Courier they believe a cut in teacher numbers will be inevitable – fearing that the staffing hit could head towards double figures.
The authority was asked to respond to that claim, and whether the choice of half day had already been set after an earlier indication that there was still “flexibility” following an apparent move from Friday to Wednesday as preferred option.
A council spokesperson said: “The council agreed to the structure of the secondary school week from the current thirty five period structure to a thirty three period structure.
“These changes will help schools to maximise the resources they have available.
“The efficient staffing model will be reflected in the formula used to staff secondary schools.
“The new model is efficient as it enables teachers to work their 22.5 hours contact time in secondary schools.”
“The council agreed the recommendations in Report 204/16 but in relation to recommendation (iv) there would be flexibility with regard to what day the shorter four period day fell on.
“We are currently exploring the options for this day and can confirm that it will fall on the same day for all schools in Angus.”
The authority confirmed the committee paper asked councillors to consider only secondary schools in Angus.
The source said: “The council really haven’t done themselves any favours with the handling of this and the big issue is still the cost.
“They may say that there will be a more efficient model, but the feeling is that the only way they will save that level of money is by having fewer teachers, and that could be in the order of nine teachers across Angus.
“That may not sound a lot, but staffing structures are one thing and staffing levels are quite another.
“This whole thing is half-baked and ill-thought out and a there are still a lot of questions need to be answered. Decisions are being made that are, quite frankly, ludicrous, and the whole thing is a mess.
“I think the public need to know that the real cost will be fewer teachers and I believe the council needs to be a bit more transparent about the whole thing.”
The source added: “A lot has also been made about the opportunities which the half day will provide and they seem to be of the view that on a Wednesday afternoon – or whenever it is – from August next year, every youngster will be staying behind and engaging in a sports activity, volunteering or work experience.
“Some will, but the vast majority of children, and many of the teachers will head home and if it falls on a Wednesday they might feel that it is a nice little break to split up the week.”
