A head teacher at one of Aberdeen’s flagship 3Rs schools has told parents it is “impossible” to say who will teach their child next year due to staff shortages.
Eleanor Sheppard from Mile End primary took the unusual step following a sharp increase in pupil numbers for the upcoming session starting in August.
The city council is currently holding block interviews in an effort to fill vacancies before the new term begins.
Overcrowding at the Midstocket Road school has become a political issue at the council, with opposition members claiming the Labour-led administration has been “hiding” the problem.
Earlier this year, a Freedom of Information request from the Press and Journal for full details of the intake for all city schools for 2014/15 was refused by the authority.
Last night, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central Kevin Stewart said the situation had led to “terrible uncertainty” for local families, and suggested that other schools in the city may have similar difficulties.
But a senior Labour councillor insisted that the staffing situation is being addressed and families will be kept informed.
In the letter sent to parents on June 16, Ms Sheppard said: “I write to advise you that it will be impossible to share news of who will be teaching your child’s class until Friday, June 27 at the earliest.
“Given the increase in class numbers and a bit of uncertainty around staffing, we are sitting with vacancies that require to be filled. Ideally, we would want to announce class lists and teachers far sooner, but the amount of uncertainty this year is making that impossible.”
Mr Stewart said the council administration could have avoided the situation by taking action earlier when the concerns were raised by SNP councillors.
He added: “Sadly they have taken a head in the sand approach to education and will now have schools overcapacity and vital teaching and community space being lost for classrooms.”
Labour group secretary Willie Young said: “My understanding is that there will be an announcement before the end of June. It is better to wait until the right staff are in place.”
The city council built new academies for Cults and Bucksburn and replacement primaries at Airyhall, Braehead, Mile End, Hazlehead, Heathryburn, Manor Park and Kaimhill, as part of the £120million 3Rs (Reorganise, Renovate and Rebuild) public/private financing initiative.