Council axe falls on 180 school posts

MORE than 180 teaching assistant posts are set to be lost as part of a schools shake-up at a Scottish local authority.

Aberdeenshire Council said it was replacing the four existing posts of classroom assistant, children’s supervisor, lunchtime auxiliary and support for learning auxiliary with a new role of pupil support assistant. The council said about 183 full-time equivalent posts would be lost in June 2012, but said it would offer opportunities for staff to retrain.

Maria Walker, the council’s director of education, said: “This is a very large and complex review, which affects hundreds of staff. Our focus is on giving our children the very best start in life.

“We have worked with headteachers across Aberdeenshire to develop individual learning plans for pupils. Their involvement has also helped us to evidence the need within schools, ensuring that we are in a good position to provide support where it is needed most. “Having a single post means that we can deliver training and support in a co-ordinated way, and provide clarity to parents and teachers about the roles and responsibilities of pupil support staff. We will also be able to focus resources where the need is greatest and work with schools to ensure their needs are met.”