Highland Council’s chief executive told how the local authority has “embarked on a very brave, courageous journey” with controversial cuts to additional support needs (ASN).
Donna Manson, with the council’s interim director of education, Nicky Grant, and Grantown Grammar head Claire McGonigal, gave an update to councillors on progress made in creating an allocation model for ASN across Highland.
They admitted that the previous model was ‘not fit for purpose’ and acknowledged the pain caused by mistakes made over the past few years, and by the ongoing root and branch review of ASN.
Deep cuts made to the ASN budget last year prompted emotional school group meetings , with tearful and angry parents desperate to ensure their children get an education.
To make the point that more than 200 children at present in Highland are receiving less than half the hours of a full-time education, parents from Highland Action Group for ASN & Education assembled a display of 235 pairs of shoes outside the council yesterday morning.
“Each of these pairs of shoes represent someone from the workforce of the future,” Barbara Irvine, group spokeswoman said. “But how can they become productive without an education?”
Ms McGonigal carried out 29 school group meetings last year, travelling the length and breadth of the Highlands, meeting hundreds of pupils, parents and staff.
She said: “There were concerns about ASN and the speed of change, and about the risks that ASN redesign could have in terms of attainment and life chances.
Councillor Biz Campbell said parents had told her children were struggling and staff were burnt out.
She said: “Parents were concerned about this report, but my underlying feeling is we wanted the truth and we got it.
“We need to take as long as required to gain the confidence and understanding of parents, we have to get it right for every child.”
Mrs Manson said the coming year will see no cut in the ASN funding, work will proceed to find a better allocation model, train staff, overhaul Child Plans to make them less bureaucratic and carry out further consultation.
Ms Irvine said good points had come out of the interim report.
She said: “But it is only interim, and having to get the full report ready by May for August implementation doesn’t give much time to get it right.”
Meanwhile councillors also discussed a complex report on attainment across Highland schools, showing Highland at the lower end of numeracy and literacy levels in national comparisons.
Ms Grant said: “The past is the past.
“We must go back to basics, to the bread and butter of learning and teaching.
“Our teachers are magic weavers they hold the dreams of young people in their hands.”