Duror Primary School had 10 separate class teachers in six months

A lack of urgency by Highland Council has been blamed for a south Lochaber school not being able to find a replacement teacher.

 

Duror Primary School has had substitute teachers covering for the composite class teacher who left on maternity leave.

 

The school has 10 pupils but Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes was met with more than 50 people at a public meeting she had with the parent council in August.

 

This followed an Education Scotland inspection labelling attainment and education at the school ‘unsatisfactory’ - the lowest possible grade a school can get.

 

Ms Forbes said: ‘The problems at Duror primary have accumulated over the last few years, until parents have become completely frustrated with Highland Council.

 

‘Emails have been ignored, issues have been left unresolved and there have been crossed wires.

 

‘At the very least, the children of Duror Primary School deserve continuity of teaching staff and it is deeply disappointing that has not been delivered.’

 

Chairman of Duror and Kentallen Community Council Sandy Stoddart said: ‘The community is keen to have a good primary because that is going to be attractive for people coming into the area. It is good to be able to welcome young families into the community and a good primary school may be the deciding factor as to whether they choose us over somewhere else.’

 

The parent council is awaiting a response from Highland Council and hope to have something by the beginning of next week.

 

Highland Council issued the following statement about Duror Primary School: 'The Highland Council recognises the strengths of the school and areas identified for development, as noted in the Report published by Education Scotland on Duror Primary School. The Council has fully supported the school and will continue to do so, through the appointment of an experienced Head Teacher, to take forward the recommendations of the report.'