Latest news with #SchoolLeadersScotland
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
High school leaders feel 'exhausted, helpless, and frustrated'
SLS carried out a survey of members during March and April 2025 which gathered more than 300 responses covering all 32 council areas in Scotland, as well as the private sector. 80 percent of respondents were either headteachers or deputes in secondary schools. Asked to outline the things they like most about their job, SLS members highlighted the opportunity to work with young people and see them 'grow and develop' during their time at school. They also talked about the importance of teamwork, their impact on local communities, and the 'privilege' of being able to make a difference to people's lives. However, the responses also highlights the enormous and increasing pressures faced by secondary school leaders. Participants in the survey reported an average working week of more than 53 hours, with some reporting having to work between 70 and 80 hours in a week. The SLS says that these responses show 'the vast majority of school leaders individuals consistently work well beyond' the limits of their contracts. The survey also gathered more information on the detail of a working week. On average, leaders said that they spent nearly five and a half hours provided one-to-one support for pupils removed from class, and more than two hours providing unplanned cover for absent teachers. In total, this additional work therefore takes up one entire school day each week. The SLS data also shows that nearly 90 percent of school leaders find themselves unable to take even a single uninterrupted break of at least twenty minutes. Responses also highlighted a wide range of problems and concerns, including a lack of business managers in some areas, the use of centralised recruitment systems by certain councils, the impact of cuts to council support teams, and the provision of 'inadequate' financial tools. SLS General Secretary Graham Hutton discussed the survey results with education specialist James McEnaney (Image: Robert Perry) Staff also expressed 'frustration' over the 'relentless' scrutiny of school by local authorities and national inspectors, drawing particular attention to the bureaucratic burden of data collection and reporting. Asked what would make their role more manageable, by far the most common response was 'proper support for inclusion and/or adequate ASN provision.' As a result of the increasing pressures being experienced by school leaders, 61% of those surveyed said that have considered leaving the profession early. Schools Leaders Scotland describe this as a 'depressing statistic' which shows 'how unhappy school leaders are in their posts.' READ MORE School Leaders Scotland argues that its members need more realistic workload demands, more support for working with distressed pupils and those with additional support needs, and more realistic parental expectations. General Secretary Graham Hutton said: 'The pressure of managing schools amid budget cuts, staffing shortages, and unrealistic expectations has made the role increasingly difficult. Work-life balance is severely impacted, with many struggling to maintain their health and family relationships while working excessive hours. Local authority and national bureaucracy, administrative burdens, and a lack of effective support from many partner agencies and local authorities have undoubtedly exacerbated frustrations. Many school leaders feel trapped in a system that demands more while providing fewer resources, often leading to exhaustion and a feeling of helplessness and frustration. 'Smaller faculties, reduced class sizes, and greater autonomy for Head Teachers could improve efficiency and reduce workload. The need for uninterrupted time, trained support staff, and structured reliable administrative processes which deliver for leaders, would ease the managerial and leadership burdens. Some staff would even prefer more protected time over additional salary increases. 'School leaders overwhelmingly feel their wellbeing is overlooked, with unrealistic expectations and inadequate support systems in place. While individual resilience strategies and strong peer networks offer some relief, the profession remains fundamentally unsustainable without structural reform. Leaders urgently call for realistic workloads, better wellbeing resources, and improved recognition of the challenges they face.' A spokesperson said that the Scottish Government 'recognises and appreciates the hard work of our teachers.' They continued: 'Our determination to support them means that Scottish classroom teachers, on the main-grade scale, are the best paid in the UK. 'We are clear that reducing class contact time will help address critical concerns around teacher workload, thereby creating the space to drive improvement and reform in our schools and improve outcomes for pupils. We are working with unions and COSLA to agree our approach to reducing class contact time. 'We are also providing local authorities with an additional £186.5 million to restore teacher numbers, alongside an additional £29 million to support the recruitment and retention of the ASN workforce.' COSLA, which represents Scotland's councils, has also been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scots Tories propose lowering school leaver age to 14
The school leaving age could be lowered to 14 in Scotland to "transform opportunites" for young people, the Scottish Conservatives have suggested. In a speech in Edinburgh later, party leader Russell Findlay will propose giving pupils a "fast track" to an apprenticeship or college place instead. Scotland's education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, branded the plans "reckless" and said they singled out working class children. The school leaving age is 16 across the UK, but the Tories suggest the Scottish Parliament could use its powers to lower it. The party says the apprenticeship proposal fits within UK employment law, but would require new legislation to set out how it would work. Findlay says it would grow Scotland's economy by developing a stronger workforce, reducing skills gaps and encouraging more investment. In a speech to a think thank, he is expected to say: "Too many young people become trapped in a system that isn't working for them. "Even worse, far too many exit from it altogether "This is not about writing off these young people. It is the very opposite of that." Findlay says his party wants to give young people the opportunity to continue in a form of "hybrid education that is better suited to their talents". Jenny Gilruth accused the Tories of wanting to "leave academic pursuits to the upper and middle class". The education secretary said: "These reckless plans were proposed in 2011 and were soundly rejected by the Scottish people. "The Tories should say what they mean - they want to see working class children leave school at 14 and leave academic pursuits to the middle and upper class. "That is not an approach this government will agree with." Details of how the apprenticeship proposal would work are not clear. Under current laws under-16s can only work part-time, cannot work on industrial sites and cannot work during school hours. Education association School Leaders Scotland described the plan as an "interesting contribution to the debate" on pupil pathways. A spokesperson said: "We would definitely encourage young people to stay on in education beyond 16. "It is important that all young people are helped and supported on their own individual learning pathway." Russell Findlay has described this proposal as a "bold idea", and it's certainly one that's grabbing headlines. With an election looming next year, the Scottish Conservatives are keen to differentiate themselves from the rest of Holyrood's parties. Eye-catching policies that get people talking are one way to do this. But as is often the case with such plans, dig in to the detail, and things might not be quite so straightforward. For example, it's not clear how the Tories' proposal to offer apprenticeships to those under-16 would fit in with current UK employment rules for children. The party has indicated such details could be worked out further down the line, and admits legislation would be required. They suggest this is the beginning of a broader conversation about education reform. But you only have to look at Rishi Sunak's 2024 general election pledge to bring back national service - described by some as "unworkable" and a "gimmick" - to see the potential pitfalls of presenting such policies to voters without doing your homework first. Attainment gap widens in Scottish schools Should teacher numbers drop as school rolls fall? Findlay pledges to 'work constructively' with new leader Badenoch
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Scottish Tories propose 14 years old for school leaving age
The school leaving age could be lowered to 14 in Scotland to "transform opportunites" for young people, the Scottish Conservatives have a speech in Edinburgh later, party leader Russell Findlay will propose giving pupils a "fast track" to an apprenticeship or college place education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, branded the plans "reckless" and said they singled out working class school leaving age is 16 across the UK, but the Tories suggest the Scottish Parliament could use its powers to lower it. The party says the apprenticeship proposal fits within UK employment law, but would require new legislation to set out how it would says it would grow Scotland's economy by developing a stronger workforce, reducing skills gaps and encouraging more a speech to a think thank, he is expected to say: "Too many young people become trapped in a system that isn't working for them. "Even worse, far too many exit from it altogether"This is not about writing off these young people. It is the very opposite of that."Findlay says his party wants to give young people the opportunity to continue in a form of "hybrid education that is better suited to their talents". Jenny Gilruth accused the Tories of wanting to "leave academic pursuits to the upper and middle class".The education secretary said: "These reckless plans were proposed in 2011 and were soundly rejected by the Scottish people."The Tories should say what they mean - they want to see working class children leave school at 14 and leave academic pursuits to the middle and upper class. "That is not an approach this government will agree with."Details of how the apprenticeship proposal would work are not current laws under-16s can only work part-time, cannot work on industrial sites and cannot work during school hours. Education association School Leaders Scotland described the plan as an "interesting contribution to the debate" on pupil pathways. A spokesperson said: "We would definitely encourage young people to stay on in education beyond 16. "It is important that all young people are helped and supported on their own individual learning pathway." Russell Findlay has described this proposal as a "bold idea", and it's certainly one that's grabbing headlines. With an election looming next year, the Scottish Conservatives are keen to differentiate themselves from the rest of Holyrood's parties. Eye-catching policies that get people talking are one way to do this. But as is often the case with such plans, dig in to the detail, and things might not be quite so straightforward. For example, it's not clear how the Tories' proposal to offer apprenticeships to those under-16 would fit in with current UK employment rules for children. The party has indicated such details could be worked out further down the line, and admits legislation would be required. They suggest this is the beginning of a broader conversation about education reform. But you only have to look at Rishi Sunak's 2024 general election pledge to bring back national service - described by some as "unworkable" and a "gimmick" - to see the potential pitfalls of presenting such policies to voters without doing your homework first.
