After telling colleagues she was self isolating at home, a headteacher is being investigated for taking a vacation during term-time.
Alicia Reid, Stranraer Academy’s rector in Wigtownshire is facing a probe after a student posted photos from Glasgow Airport two days before the official October break.
These photos seem to show Miss Reid (52), in an airport line, waiting to board her flight to Turkey.
However, it was discovered that she had admitted to the school that she was self isolated, after she was ‘pinged,’ as a close friend of someone infected.
The local council confirmed that Mrs Reid “will not be in school during a certain period.”
Alicia Reid, rector of Stranraer Academy in Wigtownshire, had told the school that she was self-isolating, having been ‘pinged’ as a close contact of someone infected with coronavirus
Education chiefs have been warning parents for years about not allowing their children to go to school during official holidays in order to take advantage of lower flight prices.
One parent said, “It seems there’s one rule that applies to all.” We were warned not book holidays during school, but the headteacher seems unable to understand why.
“If she had been pinged and was supposed not to be self-isolating,” she wondered, “What was she doing at an airport?” We know parents want answers, and we hope they will provide them.
A letter was sent last week to all staff and parents. It stated that the absence of the rector was not due to any official reasons.
Dr Gillian Brydson of Dumfries and Galloway Council, the director of skills, education and Learning, confirmed that Miss Reid would not be attending school for a time.
Two days before the official October break, a pupil posted photos from Glasgow Airport. These photos seem to show Miss Reid (52), in a queue at Glasgow Airport, as she prepares to depart for Turkey.
She also stated that an acting headteacher will be appointed as soon possible.
The move comes after widely viewed footage was posted on Snapchat with the words “Miss Reid, is that you?” It looks just like her.
It is believed Miss Reid was due to work the last two days before the two-week school holiday on October 8.
It is claimed that she called her colleagues to inform them that she would not be attending school because she was notified that she had come in contact with someone who had tested positive to Covid-19. She would then have to self-isolate at her home.
However, she was apparently filmed at Glasgow Airport that night, October 7, as she waited in line at a check-in counter for a holiday flight to Turkey.
Miss Reid had allegedly told Stranraer Academy that she would not be there because she was informed she had been in close touch with someone who had tested positive at Covid-19
Last night, the father who made the recording stated that there were two flights to Turkey on Thursday night. She was on the one, and we were on the other.
“My daughter was shocked to find her headteacher there. She said, “It’s Miss Reid!” What’s she doing here?
“She began filming and uploaded the images to her friends. We didn’t know what the teacher meant by self-isolation.
Parents who take their children on holiday in Scotland during term time are not subject to any penalties. However, the Scottish Government recommends that schools do not usually grant permission for families to do so.
Miss Reid was apparently seen waiting at a check-in counter for a holiday flight to Turkey.
In the event of persistent absence, councils may issue attendance enforcement orders. These orders can be used to bring the case before the sheriff court and eventually a fine or imprisonment.
In 2017, the UK Supreme Court ruled against Jon Platt, from the Isle of Wight, after he appealed a £120 fine for taking his daughter out of school to go on holiday.
He claimed that the penalty for unauthorized travel to Florida meant that the state was ‘taking rights away from parents’. But judges ruled that the school had the final say.
Yesterday, when Miss Reid was asked about her absence from school and the fact it seemed to contradict the advice given by the education department to parents regarding unauthorised holidays during term, a council spokesperson said that they don’t comment on matters involving individual staff.
“Good progress in learning continues be the priority of the school community at Stranraer Academy, and we will provide leadership support to the school management team.