Perth and Kinross school closures announced as strike action by non-teaching staff begins

The situation will be reviewed daily during the two weeks of industrial action planned by UNISON.

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

All Perth and Kinross primary schools as well as early learning and childcare (ELC), Intensive Support Provision (ISP) and Perth’s Fairview School will be closed this Monday, October 21, due to UNISON strike action in a national pay dispute.

All secondary schools – except St John’s Academy in Perth and the Community School of Auchterarder – will be open on Monday.

All secondary ISP provision will be closed. Navigate secondary support teaching will be open.

PKC further said that due to the October holidays it had not been possible to complete risk assessments for primaries and ELC settings and they could not guarantee there will be enough staff to ensure pupil safety. The decision was therefore taken to close them.

The situation will be reviewed daily during the two weeks of industrial action planned by UNISON.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “I am extremely disappointed these strikes, which are part of a national dispute over pay, are going ahead in Perth and Kinross.

“Notification for these strikes only arrived on Monday October 7, at the very start of the holidays.

“That’s made it impossible for our officers to plan a response and so we have had no choice but to close all primaries on Monday, as well as Fairview School and Intensive Support Provision, to ensure the safety of our pupils. We had hoped for a resolution but unfortunately this has not materialised.

“We will be monitoring the impact of this industrial action throughout the next two weeks and re-opening schools where we can.

“However, it is likely that a considerable number of young people could potentially miss out on two weeks of school. It’s also incredibly difficult for parents and carers who may have already used up their own holidays during the October fortnight.

“I would again urge UNISON to consider the impact this strike is having on families and suspend strike action or, at the very least, reconsider providing exemptions for Fairview School and ISP, thereby mitigating the effect on our most vulnerable children.”

UNISON Perth and Kinross branch secretary Stuart Hope said earlier this week that he recognised the inconvenience the strikes would cause to families, but pointed out they had not heard from local government body COSLA or the Scottish Government in advance of industrial action – a claim refuted by COSLA.

He said: “We fully understand the position of parents and grandparents - and the inconvenience this will cause.

“It is the last thing we want to do. However, the pay offer was rejected by 86 percent of our members.

“This has left us with no option. COSLA and the Scottish Government haven’t come back to us to thrash out a compromise to avert this strike action.

“Most of our members are parents. They don’t want the upheaval.

“But it is either that or getting a deal imposed on us which was rejected.”

A PKC spokesperson also said it is possible a small number of primary schools will be able to open later in the week, adding: “However, the situation is likely to remain fluid and may change for individual schools on a day-to-day basis.

“We will continue to provide updates when necessary. Schools will also email parents and carers about their arrangements on Monday.”

Where schools are closed before and after school care (Breakfast Clubs, Kids Clubs and Wraparound Care) will also be closed.

“Remote learning will be provided when schools are closed to pupils as teachers are not taking part in the industrial action.

“Payments will be made to families whose children are eligible Free School Meals because their families are in receipt of qualifying benefits.

“We thank you for your understanding.”

Leisure services provided at four community campuses (Breadalbane, Loch Leven, North Inch and Strathearn) are also likely to be disrupted because of the industrial action.

The following activities will still be able to proceed:

Block Booked, Club/Group activity - Indoor and Outdoor

Instructor / Coach led activity - Swimming Lessons, Gymnastics, Fitness Classes etc.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.