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Schoolgirl (8) launches campaign to save teacher


By Caroline McMorran

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Fara Sutherland is to present her petition to education managers.
Fara Sutherland is to present her petition to education managers.

A young Sutherland pupil has launched a petition to persuade education bosses to give a probationary teacher at her school a permanent job.

Eight-year-old Fara Sutherland is so taken with Russell McCarthy’s “fun” teaching methods that she wants him to be able to continue at Brora Primary School.

She has already gathered more than 100 signatures from fellow pupils, parents and teachers at the 102-pupil school.

And East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Deirdre Mackay is now arranging for the youngster to present her petition in person to local authority education mangers.

Cllr Mackay said: “I am really delighted with Fara’s initiative, although pupil numbers at Brora Primary School could slip next year and another teacher might not be needed.”

Newly-qualified teachers in Scotland are guaranteed a one-year training post by the Scottish Government and can be placed in schools anywhere in the country.

It is understood their salary is paid by the government and not by local authorities.

But some schools have criticised the system, complaining that they are given probationers year on year because they are cheaper but this leads to a lack of continuity and stability.

In 2017 Lairg Primary School parent council clashed with education managers over the issue. Then parent council chairwoman Tracey Bremner said: “We want to keep teachers so that it gives continuity to both children and the school.”

Mr McCarthy joined Brora Primary at the start of the academic year and teaches the composite primary three and four class. He has followed his father, retired local head teacher Graham McCarthy, into the profession,

Fara said: “He makes maths really fun and happy and makes writing funny and I want other pupils to have the chance to enjoy the way he teaches – not just me and my class.”

Her mum, Wendy Sutherland said: “When Fara heard Mr McCarthy might not get kept on, she was determined to do something and hit on a petition.

“She got up early the following morning and set off with her clipboard. She got 70 signatures the first day. Most of the pupils have now signed it.”

The petition reads: “For Mr McCarthy to stay at Brora school. Mr McCarthy is a great teacher.”

Ms Sutherland added: “Some pupils at Brora have been taught by a different probationer three years in a row. I understand the school doesn’t have a say in it and I think that it should have.”

The family intend to send copies of Fara’s petition to constituency MP Jamie Stone and Scottish education minister John Swinney.

And Cllr Mackay said: “I’m going to take Fara down to council headquarters in Inverness and she can hand the petition over to head of education services James Vance and John Finlayson, chairman of the care, learning and housing committee. They are really looking forward to meeting her.”

Brora head teacher Dawn McKenzie told the Northern Times: “Mr McCarthy has done some tremendous work in his probationary year.

We don’t know what the staffing will be for next session yet but I totally understand Fara’s aspirations to keep Mr McCarthy. That would be great for continuity and transition.”


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