Scheme could give heads greater budget powers

Headteachers could be given more power over their budgets under new proposals by the Scottish Government. Education secretary Mike Russell has announced a review of how schools are managed.

He gave encouragement to a cluster scheme, such as that proposed in East Lothian, with finance powers devolved to school leadership. East Lothian Council is looking at creating a small group of schools which could share finance decisions, allowing them to pool resources.

Former education director David Cameron will chair the review and produce guidance by March.

Mr Russell said: "We must do everything we can to maximise what is achieved with the money spent on education. The task will involve looking at what education funding is devolved to headteachers (and] how much flexibility teachers have to determine what this is spent on."