Maths teacher gets struck off
A maths teacher from Glasgow has been struck off for incompetence after a disciplinary hearing found he got maths wrong in front of pupils, didn’t answer their questions and failed to keep discipline. Alan Buchanan, 47, who taught at Rosshall Academy, Glasgow, provoked complaints from parents, and his pupils under- performed. The General Teaching Council for Scotland fitness to teach panel said his lack of professional competence was incompatible with being a registered teacher.
Consultation on school closures l Councillors in Shetland have voted to start consulting on nine school closures. Junior highs in Aith, Sandwick, Whalsay and Skerries and primaries in Sandness, Olnafirth, North Roe, Urafirth and Burravoe are at risk. An amendment to remove Baltasound Junior High from the list was accepted. The education committee was told if the plans were rejected, the council would have to spend pound;1,000 a year less on every pupil.
Better deal for Scottish pupils
The EIS union and Scottish Parent Teacher Council have signed a deal to work together for a better future for Scottish pupils. Teachers and parents had “a common goal in defending Scottish education from the damaging budget-cutting agenda”, said Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary. Eileen Prior, SPTC executive director, said the SPTC already worked with many education bodies, so it made sense to formalise its link with the largest teaching union.
Headship plan for RC primaries
The four RC primaries in the Scottish Borders could have a single head in future following a review of provision in the authority. The single-head option is the preferred one, but two shared headships will also be considered by the council’s education executive.
Online dyslexia toolkit launched
A new online dyslexia toolkit has been launched at the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow by learning minister Alasdair Allan. The success of Dyslexia Scotland’s original assessment and identification resource prompted the government to provide an extra pound;40,000 to develop the Addressing Dyslexia toolkit, which aims to boost understanding and support early identification of dyslexia.
