The majority of schools in Shetland will be closed to pupils for three days next week, as a result of industrial action planned by non-teaching staff who are members of the UNISON trade union
Members of the public service union UNISON have voted to take industrial action in 26 Council areas across Scotland, including Shetland. The strike action - on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th September - will affect support staff in schools who are members of UNISON, such as learning support workers, early learning and childcare staff, catering staff, janitors and office administration staff.
Children’s Services staff have explored options to keep schools open wherever possible, to reduce the impact on children and young people, and parents and families.
School Managers have written to parents and carers with details of the situation in their child/children’s establishment.
Some establishments may review their staffing arrangements after the first day of strike action and so local circumstances may change. Parents and carers will receive any updates from schools directly, through their usual channels.
The summary for all schools, early learning and childcare settings and out of school clubs in Shetland is as below:
(*updated 5pm on Tues 26 Sept)
| School | Secondary Department | Primary Department | Early Learning and Childcare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson High School | Closed for children and young people. | N/A | N/A |
| Brae High School | Closed for most children and young people. OPEN for S4/S5/S6 pupils only. | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Aith Junior High School | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Baltasound Junior High School | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Mid Yell Junior High School | Closed for children and young people. | OPEN as normal. | OPEN as normal. |
| Sandwick Junior High School |
Closed for most children and young people. OPEN for S4 pupils only. |
Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Whalsay School | OPEN as normal. | OPEN as normal. | OPEN as normal. |
| Bell’s Brae Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Burravoe Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | N/A |
| Cullivoe Primary School | N/A | OPEN as normal. | N/A |
| Cunningsburgh Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Dunrossness Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Fair Isle Primary School | N/A | OPEN as normal. | OPEN as normal. |
| Foula Primary School | N/A | OPEN as normal. | OPEN as normal. |
| Hamnavoe Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | N/A |
| Happyhansel Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Lunnasting Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Mossbank Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Nesting Primary School | N/A | OPEN as normal | N/A |
| North Roe Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | N/A |
| Ollaberry Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | N/A |
| Sandness Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | N/A |
| Scalloway Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Skeld Primary School | N/A | Open as normal. | Open as normal. |
| Sound Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Tingwall Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Urafirth Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
| Whiteness Primary School | N/A | Closed for children and young people. | Closed for children. |
- *Islesburgh Out-of-School Club in Lerwick will be OPEN on Wednesday and Thursday for their usual hours, 3.00-5.30pm
- Anderson High School Hostel will be CLOSED - residents and families will be contacted with more information.
- Lerwick ELC (formerly Isles Haven Nursery and the Old Infants Room) will be CLOSED
- Out-of-School Clubs in Brae, Dunrossness and Sandwick will be CLOSED
- The Additional Support Base in Lerwick will be OPEN