The head of a Scottish special school is one of three candidates for the general secretaryship of the Professional Association of Teachers. Ian Elfick, head of Graysmill School in Edinburgh for 25 years and a past president of the anti-strike union in Scotland, acknowledges that “the probability of election is not high since the majority of the union’s membership is in England and Wales”.
Graysmill, which specialises in pupils with severe physical disabilities, is one of four special schools which Edinburgh’s education committee agreed last week should close over the next three years. But Mr Elfick said this played no part in his move which was based on his view that “it is good for the membership to have competition and choice rather than having things rubber-stamped”.
