Headteachers in Highlands could be put in charge of up to six primary schools

HEADTEACHERS in rural parts of the Highlands could be put in charge of up to six primary schools at one time under proposals to help save millions of pounds.

While some heads already manage up to three schools in some areas, Highland Council wants to go even further as it looks to save £30 million over the next two years.

Earlier this month, it emerged the council is exploring the idea of shortening the school week by two-and-a-half hours, as well as charging parents for school transport.

Dave Fallows, chairman of Highland’s finance committee, said he will be talking “very closely” to teachers about a proposal that some heads cover four to six primaries.

However, Greg Dempster, of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS), told the Times Education Supplement Scotland (TESS): “While there has been a growing trend in Scotland for headteachers to be asked to look after more than one school, it seems to us that this proposal would be a step too far.”