All secondary schools across Perth and Kinross, with the exception of Pitlochry High School, will close to all S1-S4 pupils on Thursday, 8th of December.
The high schools will close to these year groups due to industrial strike action being taken by the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) in a dispute over pay. The strike action means that there will be a lack of staff available on this date so secondary schools will only open to students in S5-S6.
Head of Education and Learning with Perth & Kinross Council, Sharon Johnston, said: “We appreciate how difficult this additional disruption will be for many parents and carers.
“There will be no blanket closure of our schools. However, pupil safety is always our overriding priority and we have decided not to fully open schools where there will not be enough staff to do so safely.
“This means our secondary schools, with the exception of Pitlochry High School, will only be open to senior pupils in S5 and S6.
“These pupils will attend classes as normal unless a teacher is taking part in the industrial action, in which case pupils will be asked to study during those classes instead.
“Negotiations are continuing at a national level. We will continue to update parents and carers about the impact of the dispute on our schools.”
Those who receive free school meals and qualifying payments will receive the funds in their Christmas payment.
All Early learning centres, primary schools, kids clubs, wraparound care, and school lets will open as usual to pupils.
All settings will reopen as normal on Friday, 9th of December.