Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath is the only school in the Western Isles remaining open on Friday February 3 as the next round of strike action by teachers hits the islands.

Members of the teaching unions AHDS, EIS, NASUWT and SSTA across the Western Isles will be undertaking a day of industrial action as part of a rolling programme of strikes across Scotland, as previously notified.

In a media statment today (Tuesday January 31), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar stated: "The Comhairle regrets to inform parents and carers that this next day of industrial action will, again, cause disruption to the operation of many schools and nurseries across the Western Isles.

"Every effort is being made to open services where there is certainty that sufficient staff will be available to safely operate the provision."

The following schools and nurseries will open as normal on Friday 3 February.

SCHOOLS: Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath

NURSERIES: Balivanich Nursery, Castlebay Nursery, Daliburgh Nursery, Sgoil an Rubha Nursery, Sgoil an Taobh Siar Nursery, Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath Nursery (Saoghal Beag), Stornoway Childcare Centre, Stornoway Primary Nursery, Tong Nursery.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar emphasise that: "If your child’s school or nursery doesn’t appear on the above list, it will be CLOSED to all children."

And it reiterates: "Schools and nurseries that are open can only accept children from their own registers that are scheduled to attend on Friday.

"It will not be possible to accommodate children from closed centres at these locations."

Looking on the hopeful side, CnES say that national pay negotiations with trade unions are on-going and there remains a possibility that the action may be suspended or changed. If that happens, information will be provided to parents and carers.

On the less hopeful side, trade unions have confirmed that, should the pay dispute continue, the next strike days affecting Comhairle schools will be on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March 2023. These dates are national strikes affecting all local authorities in Scotland on the same dates. 

And Comhairle nan Eilean Siar add: "If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of any child or young person during the day of industrial action, please contact Faire on 01851 701702."