Council to reconsider education service redesign proposals

The updated report contains updated information on Falkirk's teacher numbers and addresses concerns raised by parents, carers, and staff during earlier consultations.

The Education Service Redesign (Learning Week) proposal was put forward as part of efforts to address a projected £56.4 million Council-wide funding gap over the next five years with the proposal designed to deliver savings of £6.03 million annually while safeguarding education quality.

The proposed changes include introducing an asymmetric school week, where pupils attend longer days Monday to Thursday and finish earlier on Fridays, along with a reduction in weekly teaching hours.

A decision on the proposal was postponed in October to allow for the inclusion of financial implications stemming from the UK Government's budget announcement earlier this month.

The updated report provides a detailed breakdown of Falkirk's funding position, highlighting challenges such as increased requirements for teacher numbers, rising additional support needs among pupils, and continued financial uncertainty.

The report also examines alternative savings options and the risks of inaction, which could lead to deeper future cuts in educational services.

For example, without changes to the school week, the Council could face reductions in teaching and support staff, increased class sizes, or a narrowing of the curriculum-measures that would likely have a greater impact on pupil outcomes.

Jon Reid said:

"This updated report reflects our determination to present a full and transparent picture of the challenges we face and the potential consequences of the decisions ahead. We've provided detail on the financial realities and further insights into how the proposals aim to protect the quality of education in Falkirk. Our priority remains ensuring every child has access to a supportive and high-quality learning environment."

The updated report also highlights the increasing pressures on Falkirk's schools, including rising numbers of pupils with additional support needs.

Provisional data from the 2024 schools census shows that 38.3% of pupils in Falkirk now have an identified additional support need, up from the previous year. Without redesign measures the report states that maintaining the current level of support for these pupils could become difficult.

Previous stakeholder engagement has revealed mixed responses to the proposals. While some parents and carers recognise the need for changes to protect education services, others have expressed concerns about childcare availability, the impact on vulnerable families, and potential disruption to pupils' learning.

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