Highland MSP’s ‘disappointment’ at ‘valued’ acting head’s departure from Easter Ross school
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Steps must be taken to “maintain consistency” for pupils at an Easter Ross primary school after the “disappointing” departure of its acting head teacher, a Highland MSP has said.
MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Maree Todd is seeking answers from Highland Council in the wake of concern from parents of children attending Kiltearn Primary School — after its acting head teacher was removed from his post last week.
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Acting head teacher Steven Small left the Easter Ross school on Friday, having held the post since September 2022.
The news, broken to parents in a letter from the education department last Monday, sparked shock amongst the village community.
The school stated that Mr Small’s departure from Kiltearn Primary School was due to a “tick box policy” which has seen Highland Council taken to task - and asked to consider a change of heart.
Highland Council have since installed a new acting head at the school.
Frustrated members of Kiltearn parent council have called upon Highland Council to reinstate the acting head, and to provide answers amid concern that further changes to leadership positions will result in a “lack of consistency” for their children.
Ms Todd said: “I understand the worries expressed by parents at Kiltearn Primary regarding the lack of continuity in the Head Teacher position over the past 8 years.
“The departure of the current acting head, who is valued by both parents and pupils, is disappointing.
“I have written to the Highland Council to seek the rationale behind this decision and to ask what steps are being taken to maintain consistency for the pupils at Kiltearn.”