Wick High School is far from crisis, says rector Thomas McIntyre

WICK High can offer its pupils a bright future, according to its rector.

Thomas McIntyre said the school is not going through a crisis, despite claims to the contrary.

His comments came after 14 members of its parent council resigned last month. They claimed their concerns were not being taken seriously by senior management.

Mr McIntyre said the school is far from experiencing a crisis. He said the parent council has an important role to play in the future of Wick High and he is looking forward to working with it.

"Since I have been rector I have never had any problems working with the parent council," he said.

"The parent council has now been re-formed and they say that they are looking forward to working with senior management. They have done a great job in raising money for the school and taking issues and initiatives forward. We now have to work together to decide what is best for the pupils and staff."

During his seven months in the job, Mr McIntyre has slashed the school’s budget deficit from £200,000 to £93,874.

The Highland Council says it is pleased with the work Mr McIntyre has carried out during his time in the role.

He said things do not get fixed overnight and he is continuing to find the best solutions for the school.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion," he said. "If someone thinks that the school is in crisis then that is their view. If council officials believed that there was a crisis then they would have taken action against it.

"Under the circumstances, we are on the right track. Like every other school we face cuts in our budget and staff." He added: "We have five teachers who will be retiring after the summer. Three probationary teachers will also be moving on due to the budget cuts. However, I have implemented an investment increase in department spending for supportive teaching by 39 per cent.

"We will experience a reduction in staff, but I have managed to get an extra two teachers above the maximum allowance together with three teachers who will start in August. Of course we would like more money and staff, but we are managing well."

The school will receive 143 new computers which will be installed after the summer.

Proposals are also being considered to change the timetable from 40-minute periods to 50 minutes by the start of the 2012

13 term.

Mr McIntyre said there will be no reduction in course provision after the summer but said class sizes will become bigger due to a reduction in staff.

Another issue he is currently addressing is attendance and attainment. The rector will work with parents to attempt to improve the situation, but said it will take time for these measures to be successful.

"We will look to make sure that each child achieves an attendance rate of 94 per cent. Attainment has improved over the last five years, but it needs to be improved more.

"It is planned to put in a rigorous assurance programme where pupils from S3 to S6 are being targeted by their teachers who will assess if they are meeting their potential."

He added: "I’m not putting anything in place that hasn’t already worked in other schools. I’ve only been here for seven months – to take the school where I want it to be will take at least four to five years.

Wick High School is not 100 per cent perfect, but we are in a far healthier position than in previous years."

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