Hayfield points out software update for school closure responses

The SIC schools service has issued a list of instructions for people responding online to the proposals to close Sandness, Uyeasound, Burravoe and North Roe Primary Schools.

The move follows difficulties encountered by those with older versions of the necessary software on their computers.

This is the final week of the statutory consultation period for the “Blueprint for Education” proposals, with all responses required to be in by midnight on Sunday to be included as part of the process.

Head of schools Helen Budge said Adobe software was chosen for sending electronic forms as it was a free tool which was pre-installed on most computers. However, it had been pointed out to the schools service that some older versions of Adobe Reader were unable to electronically send in the forms.

The instructions, on the SIC website at www.shetland.gov.uk, ask people to update their software, by: opening Adobe Reader; selecting help on the top tool bar; selecting check for updates; then following the onscreen instructions to download and install.

Mrs Budge said: “We’re keen to resolve this issue now that it’s been brought to our attention. Electronic acknowledgements have been sent to authors of individual email messages received but, unfortunately, not to those electronic response forms received.

“This has since been rectified – electronic acknowledgements have been issued this morning. The email link was causing some difficulty so a response can also be submitted by sending an email to blueprintforeducation@shetland.gov.uk

“We apologise for any inconvenience or concern this may have caused. Paper versions of the response forms are of course available from the primary schools in Uyeasound, North Roe, Sandness and Burravoe.”

SIC services committee chairwoman Betty Fullerton added: “I’m pleased that the issues which have been raised have been quickly dealt with by the schools service. With only a week left of the consultation period, I’d encourage everyone to take the opportunity to respond as part of this statutory process, to enable views to be heard.”