Some details are beginning to emerge about Argyll an Bute Council’s consultation on the biggest shake-up education in the area for decades.
The authority attempted to impose the changes – which would see many primary school head teachers replaced with centralised year group managers overseen by an executive head teacher – in a pilot in Cowal and Bute in June, but parent power forced a rethink – and a thorough consultation.
The council say the consultation exercise, which began in September, is on track.
The council has confirmed this week, however, that the consultation is no longer on a pilot for Cowal and Bute, but on a region-wide roll-out of the plans.
The council will be engaging with parents, pupils and the wider community between now and the end of January.
There was some confusion among parent groups as part of the consultation refers to a ‘self-led group engagement (toolkit provided)’.
A council spokesperson explained: “Community, parent and pupil councils will be given the proposals in a variety of formats.
“They can then use these materials to stimulate discussion on the proposals and gather feedback.
“‘Self-led’ means the different bodies can organise and run their own sessions (either during their routine meetings, or specially planned) using the materials in these toolkits.”
Asked if there will still be a pilot in Cowal and Bute, the spokesperson responded: “No. There are now no early adopters (pilots) planned.
More on this, including more from Argyll and Bute council and comments from advisory group Wise4all in this week’s edition of the Dunoon Observer and Isle of Bute News.
