A major review of the management of the Highland’s schools has been agreed by councillors.
The changes could ultimately see up the number of head teacher positions cut from 169 to somewhere between 120 and 140 with the creation of new “cluster schools”.
Councillors gave permission for a “dialogue” to be opened with head teachers, other staff and parents about the plans.
The council’s director of care and learning Bill Alexander said the changes had been designed to make it easier to recruit new head teachers and freeing up time for senior staff who are currently burdened “with bureaucratic issues”.
Mr Alexander said: “We need to look at our head teacher arrangements differently and it shouldn’t be reactive like we have been in the past when we’ve created clusters when we haven’t been able to fill posts.
“We need to be proactive, looking to the future of 3-18 education and the needs of our communities.”
A report was put before the council’s education committee yesterday, having prompted concern among parents earlier this week.
Councillor Andrew Baxter said: ” I welcome that we’ve started this discussion but there’s going to be a certain amount of nervousness and concern, not only amongst teaching staff but quite rightly among parents about the impact this could have on their children.”
Mr Baxter called for staff at existing clusters to be involved in the process to discuss concerns about the changes.
The council’s education chairman Councillor Drew Millar said: “It’s vitally important that we take stock of where we are now with the variety of different models of head teacher management arrangements in our schools and how this can be improved for the long term support and sustainability of our senior school management and leadership.”
“We are preparing for the inevitable changes in education provision in the future, for which, teachers will need support.
Council leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson added: “We need to provide better support to our head teachers, and reduce their classroom commitments so that they can provide better strategic leadership in learning for our schools.
“The council is committed to working collaboratively with head teachers to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, drive forward further improvement and provide them with the best possible opportunities to maintain standards in education.”