Evanton parents slam ‘disastrous management of education’ after decision to remove acting head teacher

Angry Easter Ross parents have launched a last-ditch bid to save an acting head teacher they regard as “a wonderful asset”.

There’s simmering anger in Evanton today over the enforced departure of a highly valued teacher credited with helping bring the community together.

And his departure from Kiltearn Primary School is being blamed on a “tick box policy” which has seen Highland Council taken to task - and asked to consider a change of heart.

The news, broken to parents in a letter from the education department, sparked shock amongst the school community.

Interim area and education learning manager for Highland Council, Annika Jansson, informed parents this week that Steven Small, who has been in post as acting head teacher since September 2022, will leave the school today (Friday).

A further email to parents from Kiltearn Primary on Monday confirmed that the sudden change had been due to a “tick box policy within Highland Council” and that it was not a personal decision taken by Mr Small.

Frustrated members of Kiltearn parent council are now urging 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” affecting children’s education and wellbeing.

Susan Crookes, who sits on Kiltearn Community Council, is one of several parents frustrated at the decision.

She said: “Due to the ongoing disastrous management of education across the Highlands, we are due to lose a wonderful asset, who wants to remain in post and continue his hard work and dedication.

“We are frustrated and angry at the decision to remove an acting head teacher who has been hard working, dedicated and provided the most consistency to our children over the last eight years.

“Mr Small genuinely cares about our school and community, building solid and meaningful relationships with the children and the wider community, endeavouring to bring them together again.

“It has been a welcome change to see the hard work and positive changes he has made to our school. Parents and children have benefitted from his approachable and friendly nature.

“Despite having a permanent vacancy, we are now going to be faced with yet another acting head. Someone who does not know our children, school or community.

“The parent council would like to see the decision to move him to another school overturned and and for him to be reinstated as acting head until he or another permanent head teacher is appointed. We don't require another acting head teacher.”

Ms Jansson’s letter to parents confirmed that Ashley Bartlett, an early years education support officer with “rich experience” in senior manager roles within education, will be in post as acting head teacher from Monday, April 22.

The first stage of interviews for a permanent head teacher at Kiltearn were due to start this week.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We would like to reassure parents and carers that recruitment will be taking place soon for a permanent head teacher for Kiltearn Primary School.

“The school will be led in the interim by Mrs Ashley Bartlett who has appropriate experience in senior leadership roles as both depute head teacher and acting head teacher in an Inverness school.”

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