Inverness school staffing concerns; plus impact of Highland energy schemes
Parents speak out about ‘unsafe’ conditions at school
Parents of pupils at Drummond School in Inverness, which caters for pupils with learning difficulties, have shared concerns about diminishing staffing levels and what they see as an eroding of support for youngsters as a result.
“The staff who work at Drummond are incredible. They all go over and beyond for our children. As a parent of a child who attends Drummond School all I have is gratitude and respect for you all!!! Hope staff get the correct support needed going forward.” - April Shearer
“The staff in Drummond are amazing and I feel lucky to have a space for my son, but these amazing staff members have so much to contend with and the truth is they won’t stay forever unless the pressure is reduced. I really hope the wonderful staff get the support needed to do their job to the best of their ability.” - Emma Burgess
“Hopefully this article will take a bit of the weight of burden off the shoulders of staff, as it’s clear we parents are all in agreement that they’re doing the best job they can under the circumstances they’re being asked to work under. The job is difficult enough without having to do it understaffed and under resourced. Hopefully now this is public it will get the answers parents have been seeking from the powers that be. That is all the parents have asked for. We have to be the voice for our children.” - Kevin George
WATCH: Rallying call as community councils back unified statement opposing large scale energy plans
Impact of renewable energy schemes
A basic concern surely is what is collectively the visual damage of the pylons and various renewable energy projects across the Highlands.
We have some extraordinary and world-beating scenery that beguiles the tourist and the local. Will this change forever in places?
Of course renewable energy is important for the transition to net zero. No-one can take away from that fact. Yet, locals must feel they are included in the transition and that their voices are heard.
For too many, Highland residents sit in homes where transitioning to greener heating systems is near impossibly expensive, bus services are in managed decline and the impact of huge renewable schemes seem to benefit citizens elsewhere.
James Rorison
Skye Court
Inverness
