Anger over primary class with seven teachers in six months

PUPILS at an Edinburgh primary have had seven different teachers in six months, it emerged today.

Parents of pupils in the primary three class at Granton Primary today accused education chiefs of "failing" their children by not properly covering for the long-term illness of the class teacher.

The situation means the pupils were not given report cards like the rest of the school in March but instead received a smaller "progress report" yesterday.

The parents also believe the youngsters have suffered as a result of having so many temporary teachers, claiming their behaviour and education have been affected. They say the school has been hit over the past year because it has not had a permanent headteacher.

Education bosses insisted "every effort" was made to ensure pupils' class work was not disrupted when a teacher was off sick, but some Granton parents say the situation has become so bad they are thinking of moving their children from the school.

Caroline Conway, whose seven-year-old daughter Cara is in the class, was among parents who met director of education Gillian Tee to outline their concerns.

She said: "It's the inconsistency that's the problem, not knowing if the children are going to school and having the same teacher as they had the week before.

"There is no forward planning and the children have to start from scratch every week.

"There's not been a teacher with them long enough to prepare a report card, and this progress report is signed by a teacher that had them for a week." Another parent, Susan Wilson, whose daughter Samantha is in the class, added: "I feel totally let down by the education board.

"I'm swithering about taking them out of the school because of this situation."

Jennifer Crooks, 27, whose seven-year-old son Kyle is in a separate P2/3 composite class, said: "Fair enough people are ill, but he struggles as it is and there's been a few times when he didn't want to go into school because he's scared.

"I want to move him to a different school but I don't want to knock him back any further."

A council spokeswoman said the education department "appreciates" parents' concerns.

She said: "We have reassured parents that we are currently in the process of appointing a permanent headteacher to the school and all P3 pupils have now received their report cards.

"When a teacher is absent from a school, depending on the length of absence and circumstances involved, either a teacher from the same school provides cover or a supply teacher is employed. Every effort is always made to ensure that pupils continue with their classwork as normal."

Labour Forth ward councillor Elizabeth Maginnis also attended the meeting with parents.

She added: "The parents had prepared their case well and spoke with conviction, making a strong case for recognition of the high levels of behavioural problems and the need for more help.

"The problem is, of course, not helped by the absence of a permanent headteacher."