Fears around Drummond school put to Ombudsman

EXCLUSIVE

"Distraught" parents of youngsters at an Inverness school for those with additional support needs are taking their fears to an ombudsman.

Staffing levels at Drummond have been an ongoing concern, with parents scared to put their children back to the school before the summer holidays.

Last week, Unison said their members working at the school are facing critical levels of stress and exhaustion due to what they described as chronic "under-staffing."

We've now been told a complaint has been submitted to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

Inverness mum of one at the school, Lindsay Fulton, is urging the local authority to make it safe again.

Highland Council have outlined staffing ratios are greater than national guidelines and are "very happy to engage positively with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman."

"It's an absolute disgrace"

In recent years the school roll at Drummond has increased and currently stands at 113, it was originally designed to hold around 70 pupils.

Concerns have also been voiced this year around the lack of a staff nurse on site.

Impending Chair of the Parent Council, Lindsay Fulton, claims those at the school are currently having their education "stolen" from them.

She said: "We're absolutely distraught about the whole situation.

"For the children and the staff, it's an absolute disgrace.

"We just feel like the Highland Council has done nothing to support the school.

"They've dismantled the school, they've destroyed it at present.

"I don't know how they are going to make Drummond School safe again.

"They need to make it safe again.

"It was a happy place. The whole aura of it was fantastic and that has slowly but surely disappeared.

"It does make you scared putting your children into school because you don't know who is looking after them.

"Some will never marry, go to university, have a family, but at this time in their life they should be happy and thriving.

"They should have dignified education and be able to go to school feeling safe.

"Their parents should able to put them to school feeling safe.

"At this moment, their education is being stolen from them."

Fears "something really sinister happens"

In their press release last week, Unison also raised concerns regarding under trained staff being deployed to Drummond.

A spokesperson for Highland Council said they were seeking a meeting with Unison to understand the concerns raised.

Lindsay explained how she has sympathy with the staff at the school.

She said: "They (undertrained workers) are scared in case they hurt our children.

"Parents are scared in case something really sinister happens."

Full Highland Council statement

Highland Council have outlined the current staffing levels at Drummond School and say they are "wholly committed to providing the best possible caring environment and learning opportunities for all children."

A spokesperson said "Staffing at Drummond school for term 25/26 has been maintained from the previous year. In addition to this baseline additional staff have been deployed this session.

"We will review as we progress with developments at the school and if there is a need for further staff resources we will deploy appropriately.

Drummond staffing information related to the last school term and this term

"Please note that in addition to the permanent 25.3 teacher FTE (full time equivalent) for 25/26, a further interim 1.6 FTE ASN teachers have currently commenced at the school to support continuing professional development of all staff. These posts were advertised internally in order to be able to fill them quickly over the summer break. An additional Deputy Head Teacher has also been seconded to the school for the 2025/26 session.

"The additional teachers have specialisms in sensory and neurodiverse needs, as well as emotional and behavioural needs. Therefore, at this point in time there are 26.9 FTE teachers deployed at Drummond School. The 1901 total PSA (Pupil Support Assistant) hours includes some vacancies that we are actively recruiting to, meantime they can be managed with supply cover according to The Headteacher’s assessment of need.

"These resources were approved before the end of the summer term to support an improvement programme for the school.

"The school ratios are 1 full time teacher and 3 full time PSAs per class. This is greater than the SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) recommendations of 2 PSAs per class.

"We acknowledge the increase in the school roll over years which is directly related to increased local needs and placement requests. The Head Teacher has been part of the decision making for this process.

"As noted above, staffing ratios are in excess of national regulations so a rise in pupil numbers has not resulted in a reduction in staff ratios. The opposite is true. It is up to the Headteacher how they deploy the staff - this is dynamic and reviewed regularly throughout the year.

"This includes the effective management of staff absences and access to specialist supply when required. All teachers and PSAs in the school have specialist skills training and experience that is tailored to the needs of the children they work with."

The spokesperson also outlined the nursing provision at the school.

They added: "Specialist nurses from NHS Highland will continue to be responsible for the delivery of staff health protocol training.

"The paediatric nurse (Whole Family Wellbeing) will be based in Drummond and responsible for liaising with the specialist nurses in Raigmore and supporting the implementation of the protocols within the school.

"The timeframe for appointing to the paediatric nurse post is anticipated to be November 2025. In the interim, a health professional will be seconded to the school to support workforce training and learning and link with the new worker from Thriving Families based at the Pines with a focus on whole family wellbeing arrangements.

"Children, young people, families and the school will continue to receive the wider support from all health care services. NHS Specialist Nurses will continue to provide training for health protocols and plans for individual pupils.

"During the staff in-service day on the first day back after summer break, specialist nursing training was carried out, as well as refreshed child protection training. Going forwards in the new school term there will also be enhanced contact and regular training opportunities with the specialist nursing teams.

"It has always been the case that in a medical emergency staff call 999.

"The wider education team, which includes staff at the school, have been working hard to address all concerns raised and are committed to providing a safe environment for staff and pupils.

"The appointment of an experienced Acting Head, as well as two Deputy Heads with the commencement of the term is intended to provide an enhanced leadership structure. The wider education team will continue to support the management of the school.

"We are wholly committed to providing the best possible caring environment and learning opportunities for all children at Drummond School.

"We are also very happy to engage positively with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman if and when they become involved."

On their website, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman say they are unable to confirm whether or not they are considering a complaint.