Time for Highland Council bosses to ‘face the music’ over ‘awful’ pupil absences rate as Councillor Michael Gregson says ‘they are letting down the staff, the pupils, the parents and the people of the Highlands’
Highland Council bosses slammed over ‘awful’ pupil absences rate by experienced teacher Dr Michael Gregson who said the local authority’s “performance in this area is awful”.
The local authority is already under pressure over attainment as it continues to defend itself claiming the situation is improving in the face of official numbers.
Based on a freedom of information request, The Inverness Courier revealed that more than 54 per cent of pupils are missing between 10-20 per cent of the school year through absences.
That places the council in the top five worst local authorities in Scotland by that rate and in fact the Highlands saw more absences than three neighbouring councils combined and proportionately.
That has led Inverness Councillor Dr Michael Gregson to again question the council’s ruling administration having already raised a catalogue of issues which was met with hostility from bosses.
That fiery discussion was back in December when the council tried to defend its record of poor attainment leading in the face of official figures indicating significant problems in schools.
Cllr Gregson said: “In December I raised the poor Literacy and Numeracy attainment data, the dreadful SQA Senior Phase attainment results, the shocking condition of the school estate, inadequate recruitment and retention patterns, and the removal of principal teacher posts from primary schools – and more.
“And now we have these worrying attendance figures. I welcome the Scottish Conservatives’ FOI request, as this is a matter of cross-party concern. Too many of our children and young people are missing valuable education.
“Of 30,000 pupils in Highland schools, 11,596 missed 10 percent of the year, and 5,080 missed 20 percent. Whether considered in raw numbers or proportionally, Highland’s performance in this area is awful.
“The slogan is that pupils need to be ‘Included, Engaged and Involved’; many of ours appear to be none of these. And blaming Covid or geography doesn’t really cut it. There are significant variations across local authorities.
It is key that councils are able to analyse and use the data they gather, and can identify the thresholds which might serve as triggers for intervention and support. Bespoke solutions may be needed.
“Stakeholders, partners and families themselves need to be part of the process. I’m not convinced we’re managing this issue at all well at present. The situation is dire.
“And above all it is vital that relationships are built within schools, and between schools and communities. Parents and carers may well be struggling themselves, the child or young person may have multiple issues.
“Our school staff face huge challenges, and it is becoming increasingly clear that the Council is not providing the kind of supportive and reflective leadership the situation demands”.
He added: “The council’s ruling group has to face the music. They are letting down the staff, the pupils, the parents and the people of the Highlands”.