Campaigners believe they are closer to victory in their battle to prevent Aberdeen’s instrumental music instructors from being completely removed or privatised. More than 3,000 people signed a petition against plans to withdraw the music service, used by around 15 per cent of pupils in the city - one of the highest proportions in the UK. Hundreds of people took part in a protest outside Aberdeen Town House last week, organised by school pupils. The council’s finance committee called for further consideration, and new proposals on how savings in the service might be achieved will go before the full council on December 15.
An Angus school has been recognised for its sporting achievements. Arbroath High took the school sports prize in the Scottish Sports Awards organised by the Sunday Mail. It was said to have developed a “strong sports culture”, nurturing pupils such as Gareth Murray of Glasgow Hawks. The other finalists in this category were Crieff High and St Joseph’s Primary and Hearing Impaired Unit, Glasgow.
Ian Long, the 51-year-old headteacher of Albyn School in Aberdeen, has joined elite company including Simon Cowell and Vidal Sassoon as one of the new names among the 33,000 people featured in the 2011 edition of Who’s Who. In his autobiographical entry, Surrey-born Dr Long lists his pastimes as reading, theatre and “keeping warm in the Granite City”. Those chosen to appear are required to “have demonstrated lasting significance” and entries are for life.
Services to protect children in the South Lanarkshire area have earned four evaluations of “very good” and two of “good” from inspectors. They praise staff for working together to support youngsters, but say there is still scope for links between services to be strengthened.
A new report by The Prince’s Trust and the Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds claiming jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months or longer has hit a 12-year high. Labour’s finance spokesperson Andy Kerr claims youth unemployment could cost Scotland up to pound;11.4 million a week, and he has called on the Scottish Government to back his party’s plan for a “future jobs fund” which aims to provide 10,000 jobs for young people
An Aberdeenshire teacher has admitted sexual offences involving a teenage girl. Mark Robertson, 37, of Portlethen Academy, admitted engaging in sexual activity with the girl between December 2007 and January 2008. The physics teacher also admitted participating in sexual conversations on the internet. Sentence was deferred at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for background reports to be prepared. An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “Mr Robertson remains under the employment of Aberdeenshire Council but is not currently working with pupils.” He said any action would depend on the final outcome of the court case.
