Latest news with #EducationScotland
Glasgow Times
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
'Many parents feel underinformed and underutilised by schools'
This important council committee gives parents and carers of school-aged children and young people an opportunity to appeal a decision to deny their family member a place at a school of their choice, but not in their locale. Placing requests legislation exists thanks to a previous Conservative Government legislating in Scotland and is vital in giving families a choice in an increasingly centralised education system. Let us not forget that John Swinney, when he was education minister, attempted to create the Named Person scheme, a policy which would have created government-appointed guardians of children under 16 who could exert state control over children's choices without parental consent or knowledge. A policy designed to undermine the role of parents as chief arbiters of their child's development. We can all agree, I am sure, that state-appointed guardians may have other priorities in the decision-making process other than those solely of individual children. The Placing Request system is relatively successful in encouraging parental involvement in children's learning. At hearings, I often hear parents speak very eloquently about the importance of a particular school in meeting the needs of their child and show good knowledge about what individual schools are able to provide, particularly schools which have had specific strengths highlighted by Education Scotland inspection reports. This, in short, is how the system should work, that is, in favour of parents being informed about the performance of a local school and being able to make informed choices as a result. Having spent a career in education in Glasgow and a lot of my time and effort as a headteacher in trying to actively encourage greater parental involvement, I am more than aware of the benefits of this. Parents are first educators of their children and should form fruitful partnerships with teachers and school leadership. Unfortunately, and of late, many parents feel underinformed and underutilised by schools. Teachers are overworked, having increasingly bureaucratic tasks to perform and can often see the involvement of parents as an additional burden rather than an extra resource. The huge errors in the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) (still being refined, decades after introduction) have resulted in much that is seriously wrong with the education of our children, not least of which is the poor attainment results of some of the poorest children in the city. An additional and very serious consequence has been the under-utilisation of many parents, despite this being a declared focus of the CfE. When Conservatives last had any say on Scottish education, we created the, now, much missed 5-14 curriculum (popular with educators and families), which included regular assessment of children to ascertain their attainment levels to prevent the very situation we find ourselves in today. However, we also created school boards which encouraged significant and meaningful parental involvement in the day-to-day running of schools. CfE has seen the school board replaced with parent councils which, while still a means of involving parents, do not have the muscle of their predecessor with many focussing on fundraising projects; necessary, but not at the centre of a school's development planning. Could it be that this ever-centralising SNP Government with its Named Person policy philosophy would rather have parents and families on the outskirts of a child's education rather than at its centre? I think so. As I witnessed, over the summer, parents and carers care deeply about their child's education, if only the SNP and Labour could recognise that, harness the potential of these first educators and in doing so guarantee improvements in attainment across the board.
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
MSPs vote down curriculum body proposals
The body would also be given oversight of the development of teachers and staff, as well as being tasked with accrediting qualifications. Ms Duncan-Glancy told MSPs the creation of the body would not increase costs on the Government, with funding, staffing and office space taken from Education Scotland. Control over the curriculum, accreditation and improvement in education is 'spread over too many bodies' which 'do not always speak to each other'. 'The amendments in this group propose a remedy to this – Curriculum Scotland,' she said. 'A single, arms-length organisation that will steer what is taught, guarantee the standards of certificates that flow from that teaching and the continuous improvement of both.' Responding to the Labour MSP, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 'My decision to refocus Education Scotland, which I announced to Parliament in June of last year, was a fundamental step in realising the shared ambition in relation to education reform. 'The curriculum improvement cycle, as members will know, is also already under way, with Education Scotland leading that work with the teaching profession. 'When considering these amendments, I am thoughtful about the principle of legislating only when necessary and I ask members to keep that at the forefront of their minds for voting on these amendments.' She added: 'While I appreciate the intention behind these amendments, I cannot support them. 'I do not believe there are sufficient advantages to establishing a new standalone curriculum body in legislation and the expense that will incur, when we already have a national education agency being refocused on curriculum improvement and supporting implementation across the system.' The amendment was defeated by 94 votes to 22. Asked by Scottish Tory MSP Miles Briggs if creating such a body would require a standalone Bill rather than an amendment to an existing one, Ms Duncan-Glancy admitted it was not the 'neatest opportunity to do this, but it is the only opportunity that we face'. While fellow Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr said he understood the intentions behind the amendments, but added he did not think the plans were the right method of doing so. The Bill will scrap the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and replace it with Qualifications Scotland, which would work alongside a re-tooled Education Scotland and a newly-created chief inspector of education – who would be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges. In an hours-long session at Holyrood, hundreds of amendments to the Bill were discussed by MSPs. Ms Duncan-Glancy did not push another raft of changes – on the make-up of Qualifications Scotland's strategic advisory council – she proposed to a vote after receiving assurances from Ms Gilruth on the group's membership. MSPs also backed a push for a review of the accreditation of qualifications in Scotland proposed by Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie. Consideration of remaining amendments and a final vote on the Bill are scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Paisley high school celebrating attainment boost praised by inspectors
The Education Scotland team highlighted Gleniffer High's 'commitment to providing a wide range of courses tailored to the needs of pupils requiring additional support needs' leading to an increase in attainment at SCQF levels three and four. The inspectors also praised 'the caring, supportive relationships between young people and staff that create a welcoming and nurturing learning environment' and 'senior leaders' approaches to encouraging close partnership working.' Gleniffer High pupils (Image: Renfrewshire Council) The report added: 'Successful partnerships are developing young people's employability skills and contributing to sustained improvements in the number of young people who achieve positive destinations.' (Image: Renfrewshire Council) As areas for improvement, the inspectors said the school should 'continue to develop the 'Gleniffer toolkit' to support teachers in embedding greater consistency in approaches to learning and teaching through professional learning and collaboration' and 'continue to improve approaches to the planning of learning.' The school's successful netball team (Image: Renfrewshire Council) They added: 'Teachers should make full use of all available information about young people to ensure that all learners make the best possible progress.' Lisa Chalmers, headteacher, said: 'I am delighted the hard work and efforts of our staff and learners have been recognised by Education Scotland. 'We endeavour to provide a range of experiences for young people which ensure they have every opportunity to attain and achieve." Gleniffer High's orchestra (Image: Renfrewshire Council) She added: 'This report demonstrates our commitment to getting it right for our learners and celebrating their individual strengths and successes.' Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council's education and children's services policy board, said: "This positive inspection result is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at the school to achieve the very best outcomes for pupils. 'I'm immensely proud of our schools and the work they do for Renfrewshire's children, young people and communities.' Janie O'Neill, director of children's services for Renfrewshire Council, added: 'Gleniffer High deserves this recognition from Education Scotland which reflects the positive relationships which exist between the young people and staff, which I have witnessed firsthand in my visits to the school, and the commitment of the head teacher and wider staff to doing their very best for the young people.' Gleniffer High also recently won a UK-wide Rockets for All competition organised by Big Ideas in partnership with the Imperial Space Lab. A group of fourth year pupils are visiting the London-based lab in June as part of an all-expenses paid trip.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Voices raised on gender-based violence issues at Paisley Town Hall
Young people from across Renfrewshire gathered to hear from Dr Jackson Katz and to discuss how schools across the country are tackling gender-based violence. Gender-based violence was the focus as more than 200 young people attended a special assembly in Paisley Town Hall. Young people from Renfrewshire and its surrounding areas gathered to hear from Dr Jackson Katz, the creator and co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme. It is the first large-scale global prevention and peer mentoring leadership initiative for young people. Renowned American educator and author Dr Katz addressed those present with Nicola Sykes, a senior education officer from Education Scotland, also on hand to discuss how schools across the country are tackling gender-based violence through the MVP programme. The Action for Change event was organised by Renfrewshire Council's youth services and children's services, and Education Scotland. All Renfrewshire schools have established the MVP programme – equipping young people with the skills they need to tackle violence when they see it and provide peer support. Renfrewshire's young people voted to prevent violence as their top priority at a youth assembly held during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The Action for Change youth assembly gives young people the chance to have their voices heard and directly influence how the council and its partners support young people to prevent violence. It's one of many events led by youth services and children's services as part of Young and Equally Safe (YES) in Renfrewshire which aims to tackle gender-based violence, affecting young people, across schools and communities. Ruaridh Keating, one of Renfrewshire's the YES group leaders, said: 'It's important to talk about gender-based violence so people's voices are heard and it's not a topic that's brushed under the rug; and it's more publicised than it has been in the past.' Amy-Ellen O'Neill, another YES leader, explained: 'Talking about gender-based violence can help people feel safer to open up about things that have happened to them; especially if everyone talks about it. It raises awareness of the issue.' Dr Katz said: 'I brag about what Scotland is doing all over the world. Over the last 12 to 13 years, there has been a systematic approach to implementing the MVP programme across the country. 'MVP is a leadership programme for young people to help them have the tools to speak up and challenge and interrupt abusive behaviour. 'We focus on men's violence against women, sexual harassment and assault, domestic and relationship abuse – but it is about all forms of violence. 'The model helps young people become leaders, with young people mentoring younger peers and building their confidence in speaking out.' Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: 'This event has been a fantastic opportunity for young people to come together and make their voice heard. Real change happens when we listen to what young people have to say. 'Hearing about the work happening in our schools through the Mentors in Violence Prevention and Young and Equally Safe programmes has been inspiring. 'Young people are using their voices and experiences to challenge harmful behaviours, support one another and lead the way in creating safer, more equal communities. 'As a local authority, we are listening to young people and we will build a future free from violence and inequality with young people. 'Our youth services, community learning and development, and schools will continue to work together to support young people across Renfrewshire. The work they do is invaluable.'
BBC News
18-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Parents accuse council of failing Highland primary school
Parents have accused Highland Council of failing their primary school after inspectors raised significant concerns about how it was Scotland said there were "major weaknesses" in the leadership of Newtonmore also found recruitment issues meant a council official was in the role of acting headteacher and there were no other senior school's parent council said it was "deeply saddened" by the report, and said it had been raising concerns with Highland Council for the past two years. Since the inspection in March the local authority said the school had received additional support from senior education officers. Newtonmore Primary School, which has 107 pupils, provides English and Gaelic medium education (GME).Education Scotland said the school had experienced several changes at senior level after the headteacher and principal teacher left the school in June last described learning, teaching and assessment as "weak".They said lessons did not take into account the needs of individual children, and the pace of learning was too school's work around wellbeing, equality and inclusion, and its ability to raise attainment, were described as "unsatisfactory".Inspectors said it had experienced challenges staffing GME classes, and this had a negative impact on older children's fluency in speaking the Primary School Parent Council said the inspection showed Highland Council's polices and resources to deliver quality education in the community had been ineffective.A spokesperson said: "The inspection results are shocking, and we are angered by the extent to which the children of Newtonmore have been failed. "The areas identified for improvement validate concerns that parents have repeatedly raised, both individually and collectively, with the Highland Council and local representatives over the past two years. "The educational attainment of our children is being jeopardised, and on the current trajectory, many risk failing to reach their full potential." 'Quality environments' Highland Council has been asked for a response to the parents' on the inspection report, the local authority said: "Highland Council is committed to providing quality learning environments, experiences and interactions for our pupils."The authority and the school are aware of the needs of all their children and take their health, safety and welfare extremely seriously. "Improvements at the school in line with the Education Scotland timeframes will continue to be implemented, with improvements already underway."The local authority said challenges around recruiting Gaelic staff were being addressed.
