16-07-2025
Concerns raised over quality of online classes being used in Stirling schools
The online system is being used to deliver Advanced Higher classes to pupils, with worries including the quality of the courses themselves and the use of volunteers to deliver them.
Concerns have been raised about the quality and effectiveness of an online system delivering Advanced Higher subjects to Stirling secondary school pupils.
Education chiefs say the the programme has a number of benefits, including allowing a greater range of subjects to be accessed through the virtual hub and breaking down barriers caused by clashes in school timetables.
However, an SNP councillor has raised a number of issues over quality and how it is implemented, including that it is delivered by volunteers - a factor some staff are said to be increasingly unhappy with.
At a recent full meeting of Stirling Council, Councillor Brian Hambly had asked what changes were planned to improve the acceptance and delivery of online Advanced Highers by volunteers in the coming academic year.
In response, he was told: 'From the academic year 2026/27 onwards, the intention is to move from the current two to seven Advanced Higher courses online.
'These will focus on specialist subjects that schools often struggle to provide due to low pupil uptake or a lack of access to qualified teachers.
'By delivering these courses online we aim to ensure that all pupils have access to a broader and more equitable range of Advanced Higher options, regardless of their school's size or staffing. This will also enable high performing students to sit more than the traditional four/five courses each year.
'Stirling Council Schools Learning and Education Service is working towards delivering high quality online Advanced Higher courses.
This initiative builds on a strategic vision for digital learning and professional development, ensuring equitable access to advanced education for all learners.
'Next school session the launch of the Online Learning Leadership Academy is planned. The new initiative will offer a Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) programme tailored specifically for practitioners leading and delivering online learning.
'The CLPL programme will be closely integrated with a newly formed Pedagogy Leads working group, which aims to support practitioner development of a consistent, high quality approach to learning, teaching and assessment.
'Stirling Council will continue to collaborate with other local authorities - building on existing relationships with Falkirk and West Lothian - to share best practices and drive innovation in online education across council boundaries.'
However, Cllr Hambly said: 'When brought to the children and young people committee in 2024 not all elected members were convinced by this proposal, however four Advanced Highers were delivered online 2024/25 in the school year.
'The anecdotal feedback so far from staff and student alike has raised concerns about the quality and effectiveness of this delivery method, and as is pointed out, there is two for this year and seven for following years to be delivered this way.
'While teaching staff raised concerns over the loss of quality there's not a lot of confidence in any gains in equality.
'This delivery method is to continue with volunteers as there is no provision for such in the SNCT handbook nor is it covered by teachers' terms and conditions.'
Cllr Hambly the asked children and young people convener Cllr Danny Gibson [Labour] that, as the 2025/26 academic year had already commenced, to confirm what action he had already taken to provide assurance that the decision would not lead to industrial action and that high quality teaching would be maintained.
Cllr Gibson replied that he would be happy to provide further feedback following the meeting, adding: 'This is a Labour administration and I'm more than happy to ensure the best industrial relations that we can and what those circumstances are.'
The two Advanced Higher subjects earmarked for the online system this year are Business Management and Computing Science.
Each Advanced Higher is delivered by a lead teacher through Google Classroom, Google Meet and a termly in person meeting.
The council's own online portal states: 'Online learning naturally encourages the development of vital independent learning skills – taking initiative, managing time, digital literacy, and problem-solving. These aren't just academic skills; they're essential abilities for tackling the demands of higher education and the modern workplace. By engaging with Advanced Highers online, learners will be better prepared for the self-directed learning expected at university and in professional life.'
It adds: 'By providing a central and dependable digital platform, we're enabling staff to further develop and use their digital skills in delivering the curriculum. This not only improves the quality of teaching and learning in the online environment but also encourages the sharing of good practice and resources across Stirling Council schools, leading to continuous improvement.'
