By Mark Mackay

GROUND-BREAKING plans that could see up to three Perth and Kinross schools under the control of a single head teacher are set to be unveiled this week.

The potentially controversial proposals are aimed at safeguarding the future of small schools in local communities—a challenge that is becoming increasingly difficult.

No specific schools have yet been identified to take part in the scheme but both small rural and larger urban schools could be linked by shared headship.

Providing councillors approve the scheme—which is set to go before a meeting of the local authority’s lifelong learning committee on Wednesday—it will be introduced initially as a two-year pilot project.

In doing so, it would mirror the actions of similarly placed local authorities who are also moving towards or trialling shared headship schemes.

Almost half of Perth and Kinross Council’s primary schools are classed as “small schools” with either one, two or three teachers— including a teaching head teacher—and less than 70 pupils.

And it, like many other local authorities, is finding it increasingly difficult to appoint suitable and effective head teachers to the small school setting.

Limited opportunities for advancement, the complex role of the teaching head teacher and the feeling of isolation some staff have at small schools are just a few of the factors linked to the problem of recruiting top staff.

Executive director of education and children’s services John Fyffe says in his report to councillors, “The pressures of raising attainment, implementing high level quality assurance and self-evaluation, developing and maintaining effective relationships with parents and the wider community and the management of administration procedures can result in ineffective practices and weak leadership.

“In addition, the isolation and lack of opportunities for effective collegiate working to support current initiatives and developments is a major issue for all small school head teachers.”

Perth and Kinross Council believes that having a single head teacher overseeing more than one school will improve leadership and management across small schools, reduce duplication and enhance the ability of head teachers to deliver the changing requirements of the curriculum, learning and teaching.

In the shared headship setting the head teacher would also be non-class committed, allowing for the development of an effective leadership role across more than one school and creating a shared vision and greater sense of purpose for all staff, pupils and parents.

In practical terms the council is looking at trialling three different models for pilots, with options including linking three small schools, linking two small schools, or linking one small school to one large school.

The head teacher would be based in one of the schools, spending a part of the week in each school.

The group of schools would operate as separate establishments under the leadership and management of the single head teacher.

If the proposal is approved consultation will take place with parents and staff once specific schools have been identified for the pilot.

Arrangements for the scheme would then be put to the lifelong learning committee’s executive sub-committee for final approval.

Lifelong learning vice-convener Councillor George Hayton said, “The pilot shared headship scheme reflects our commitment to delivering high quality education and the important role of the many small schools in Perth and Kinross.

“Schools are a focal point for local communities and in a period of significant change for the education sector we are looking closely at how we can effectively support our small schools.”