Teaching Support Service In Renfrewshire Is Axed

A teaching support service which helps some of the most needy youngsters has been axed. The team of 35 teachers forms part of the Renfrewshire Specialist Peripatetic Service which provides teaching support to children with a wide range of support needs – including dyslexia numeracy and writing – in schools at all levels.

There is concern that the demise of the service is connected to a £4.5m education budget cut which is hitting all primary, special and secondary schools in the local authority.

Renfrewshire Council says that “some” support service staff may be offered redeployment “in full or in part to mainstream teaching vacancies” in schools. The support service budget would be transferred to schools. Youngsters who require additional help will get it from school staff.

If the teachers are redeployed, they will have to provide mainstream teaching as well as dealing with needy pupils.

Teachers heard about the details of the cut in a meeting organised by EIS teaching union this week.

A Renfrewshire Council source who was at the meeting said that teachers were “obviously concerned about their jobs” but were more concerned about the effects on the children they help.

“The teaching staff have not even been told when the service is being abolished. There has been no consultation.

“These are children that require help to remain in mainstream school.The entire service is being pulled. I think these children will flounder.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “There is no budget cut. The 35 salaries of this staff involved with network support will go to the schools.”