Fears have been raised that a new scheme aimed at creating a pool of potential Angus head teachers could have the opposite effect and spark a leadership crisis in the district’s schools.
Education chiefs are supportive of the national Into Headship programme which will become a mandatory qualification for head teachers from the 2018/19 school session.
But as the new Angus school year got under way today with some 25 teacher posts vacant across the district, a leading councillor and former head teacher has said the qualification criteria could put off some would-be heads.
David May told the area’s children and learning committee the prospect of asking teachers to pay £1,000 in course fees and complete the qualification in their own time might deter some from trying to climb to the top of the ladder.
“I’m more than aware of the considerable benefits to aspiring head teachers of such a qualification but this didn’t work in the past when it was free, so I don’t think there is any basis to make them take it in their own time and pay a substantial amount of their own money to do it,” he said.
“The Scottish Government is only committed to funding it for two years and then I can only imagine that we will have to pick up the tab.
“We already have enough difficulties filling head teacher posts without creating any more.
“Although I support the aims of this course, I think it is likely we will have even less applicants than before.”
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: “We’re struggling to get good candidates into positions in our schools and I think it will be a problem for education in the future to get the right people into the right job.”
The report to councillors said Angus hopes to take five or six candidates through the programme in the coming year. Officials said the significance of headship in the development and performance of schools had been a consistent finding in improvement studies.
Angus has entered into a partnership with Dundee University to deliver the Scottish Qualification for Headship replacement.
Other committee members were supportive of the new programme and Arbroath councillor Ewan Smith said: “I find it illogical that teachers have been head teachers for two, three, four or even five years before being given a pathway on how to perform the role.
“This is a good move. It does pose challenges for those seeking this sort of role, but if you are steadfastly determined to become a head teacher you will deal with those.”
Children and learning convener Sheena Welsh said: “We have had excellent riches to pick from in terms of candidates coming forward for Angus posts.”