Jackie Baillie has expressed relief at news that plans to cut the number of headteachers at schools in Helensburgh and Lomond look set to be ditched.

Argyll and Bute Council will meet later this week to discuss the issue with papers published ahead of the meeting recommending that the authority should not proceed with the ‘Empowering Our Educators’ proposals.

The plans which would have seen cluster schools created have been opposed by teachers, unions and parents.

Dumbarton constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie said: “It is welcome relief that these plans look set to be scrapped however it is disappointing that this has caused almost a year of worry for parents, pupils and teaching staff and cost the council thousands in consultancy fees.

“These proposals were never in the interests of attainment but were purely money saving plans which would have had a detrimental effect on learning.

“I hope that Argyll and Bute Council ensure that any decisions which are taken in future are done so in full consultation with those who will be most affected.”