The upcoming proposed savings for the upcoming Fife Council budget contains a proposal to cut 29 full time equivalent posts for Pupil Support Assistants. Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Councillor James Calder has expressed concerns over the impact this could potentially have. Cllr. Calder has said, I am really worried about the impact on children’s […]

Earlier this week I met with members of the South Dunfermline Community Council and the Council’s Transportation Department to look at the parking issues at Pitreavie Primary School. This allowed us to review the problems caused by inconsiderate parking by a minority of parents. Issues included some parking on the roundabout, by junctions and over […]

At the Full Council Meeting of Fife Council it was decided to pull out of the Scottish National Standardised Assessments for Primary 1 Pupils. Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Councillor James Calder has welcomed this decision. Cllr. Calder has said, Over the past few months both at the Scottish Parliament and Fife Council have made […]

Figures obtained by Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Councillor James Calder have shown that attendances at both Primary and Secondary School level during the last week of term have reduced in Fife over the past three years. For secondary, it has reduced from 82.3% in the 15/16 session to 77.3% in the 17/18 session, while […]

At a meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of Fife Council, the utilisation of overseas markets to help deal with the teacher shortage was reported on. Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Councillor James Calder asked whether Brexit would impact this. Cllr. Calder has said, As overseas recruitment was mentioned as one of the […]

Despite a majority of Councillors voting to suspend SNSA assessments for P1s in Fife today at the Education and Children’s Services Committee, due to the votes of Religious Representatives along with SNP Councillors, the assessments will continue. Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Cllr. James Calder has expressed disappointment at this. Cllr. Calder has said, It […]

At the Fife Full Council it was agreed that the Scottish Government to withdraw the requirement for P1 SNSA Assessments and that Fife should look to ending these tests. Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson James Calder led the debate and has welcomed the outcome. Cllr. Calder has said, After leading the debate today, I welcome […]

At today’s Full Fife Council Meeting, Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson and Councillor for Dunfermline South James Calder asked the Council  a question on whether options other than the mooted joint campus with Fife College were being considered for replacing Woodmill and St Columba’s. Cllr. Calder has said, Many constituents have raised concerns about a […]

Fife Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Councillor James Calder has expressed concerns over teacher vacancy numbers as schools approach the October break. Currently there are the following teacher vacancies in Fife: Primary – 4 x Headteacher posts                  4 x Depute Headteacher posts             […]

At yesterday’s Education and Children’s Services Committee catchment changes have finally been made for the schools of Dunfermline and West Fife. I was delighted there was unanimous approval for what I believe were sensible proposals. The agreement made included ensuring all pupils in Dunfermline, including those from Masterton Primary, got to go to school in […]