Call for retention of Gaelic teaching post rejected

A call for the retention of a teaching post at a Gaelic school in Skye has been rejected by Highland councillors.

Bun-Sgoil Shlèite in Sleat previously had three teachers, but this term it will have two.

Highland Council said the third teacher, a probationer, was providing maternity cover and having two staff fits the standard teacher-pupil ratio.

Parents are unhappy with the loss of a teacher because it has created a composite class of P1 to P4s.

They said this would have an adverse affect on the teaching of Gaelic, arguing that it requires children to have "total immersion" in the language. Pupils start learning in English from P4.

Highland Council's education, children and adult services committee considered the application, but agreed that having two teachers was in line with policy.