Pupils at two Highland secondary schools have been left disappointed after being told they can’t take the vocational course they want because either classrooms are full or there is a lack of interest.
Applicants from Golspie High School and Dornoch Academy have been rejected from timetabled National 4 and 5 construction and engineering courses run by North Highland College UHI – and two other courses have been cancelled due to low numbers.
Decision makers have even pulled the plug on the National 5 engineering course, despite a total of 11 pupils signing up when maximum class sizes are set at 16.
And National 4 Early Education and Child Care and Hairdressing courses will no longer be running because they received less than 10 applications each.
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Deirdre Mackay, chairwoman of Sutherland District Partnership, said: “The number of applicants for the Nat 4 Construction course in particular well exceeds capacity and without additional resources there are going to be a number of very disappointed youngsters. Engineering has also proved very popular.
“The unacceptable alternative is that those pupils without courses will essentially end up with a timetable that does not meet their needs, skill set and interest. These are the relevant, practical subjects our young people require for future employment – and skills which the country requires.”
Anne Bremner, director of Learning and Teaching at North Highland College UHI, said: “North Highland College UHI continues to work closely with the Dornoch/Golspie schools hub to seek solutions to the high demand for programmes in construction and engineering and the placement of pupils on to an appropriate programme of study based on individual pupil profiles.
“College representatives are meeting with school and Highland Council staff this week to consider various options to maximise opportunities within the resources we have available. Where class sizes are not viable, we are endeavouring to offer an alternative course, but we have also been working in partnership with key stakeholders to actively pursue additional financial resources to meet excess demand.”