Perth and Kinross Council moved swiftly to clarify the arrangements for teachers absent from work as a result of aircraft being grounded by the volcanic ash cloud. We recognise that these are exceptional circumstances, outwith the control of our employees and the council.

However, we also recognise that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we quickly put arrangements in place and communicated these to all of our employees.

All teachers at Perth and Kinross Council who have been affected by these exceptional circumstances will receive their full pay. They will be asked to make up the time lost by making arrangements on an individual basis with their headteacher. This could be working on development priorities within their school (for example on Curriculum for Excellence), helping at after-school study clubs, providing one-to-one study support for pupils or working on any other school priorities identified by their headteacher.

Teachers will have the opportunity to undertake activities which will benefit the school and, in some cases, their own personal development.

The council agreed these arrangements at the outset with the leader of the teachers’ side of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which is fully supportive of the measures put in place to support teachers during this difficult time.

John Fyffe, executive director, Education and Children’s Services, Perth and Kinross Council.