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Ballakermeen pupils asked to remain at home due to staff absences

More than 20% of staff are off work

High levels of staff absence is causing Ballakermeen High School to ask pupils across various year groups to remain at home for the remainder of this week.

Year 8

Wednesday, 18 May

Year 9

Thursday, 19 May

Year 10

Friday, 20 May

Yesterday, Year 11 were asked to begin early study leave from today as a result of the shortages.

In a letter to parents and carers, headteacher Adrienne Burnett says while supply teachers are covering some of the absences, the school currently has more than 20 percent of its staff absent for a variety of reasons.

She goes on to apologise for the disruption to pupils but insists it's simply not possible to run the school safely and this action wouldn't be taken unless absolutely essential.

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