Head teachers seem to “disappear” and be replaced after poor school inspections in East Ayrshire, a meeting heard.

Five primary schools in the area were ordered to raise standards by Education Scotland inspectors.

They include Catrine, Logan and Drongan and Kilmarnock schools Hillhead and Mount Carmel.

Four of the schools: Drongan, Logan, Catrine and Mount Carmel have seen head teacher changes since the inspections took place.

Hillhead got a new school boss shortly before the Education Scotland visit.

The recently recruited heads appeared before a council meeting to report on progress this week.

Commenting on the shake-up of leadership in the schools, Councillor George Mair said it “seems to be head teachers disappear”.

And he asked: “Is there an island they are all on?”

Speaking at the council’s Governance and Scrutiny Committee last week he said the new head teachers appeared to be doing a good job.

But he added: “What has been going on before? What is the problem with head teachers?”

Committee chairman Councillor Barry Douglas said: “We are not here to discuss individual head teachers.”

The council’s chief governance officer David Mitchell said there is a link between the strength and quality of leadership in schools and reports received.

The meeting heard about the status at each school with the new heads giving updates to councillors.

Catrine Primary and Early Childhood Centre was ordered to carry out a list of ‘requirements,’ ‘improvements’ and ‘recommendations’ in 2016.

A new head teacher, Judith Govans who was previously depute in Hurlford, was recruited to the post in June, 2017.

Ms Govans told the Committee: “To get Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) in was very exciting. I have had a lot of support from the local authority and my colleagues, which is appreciated.”

A report presented to the meeting said: “An experienced head teacher within the local authority was re-deployed within the school."

Progress at the school is now rated satisfactory and good at the nursery. Another update on the primary from the council is due at a later date.

Sean Maddocks has just become acting head of Drongan Primary and nursery.

Both the school and nursery received two weak and satisfactory scores in May from Education Scotland.

Mr Maddocks said: “Following the inspection in May we have a clear action plan.”

A further inspection of Drongan will take place at a later date

Logan Primary and Early Childhood Centre has made good progress since it was given a list of improvements from Education Scotland in 2016.

Head teacher Denise MacColl was appointed in 2017 after the inspection.

The meeting heard how she managed to turn around the school’s fortune quickly and there will be no more visits from inspectors.

Councillor Sally Cogley, of the Rubbish Party told her: “Well done.”