Scotland’s independent think tank
Education has once again moved high up the political agenda, the air thick with policy pledges – to deliver increased per pupil funding, recruit more teachers and break down barriers. As politicians look to the general election and beyond, this has also placed independent schools in the spotlight as never before. And that is to …
Turning Mirrors into Windows – Lorraine Davidson Read More »
Last week, the UK government sanctioned one of the largest undeveloped oil fields in the UK- the Rosebank field with an estimated 300 million barrels of recoverable oil. A few weeks ago the government made the most significant changes in policy from a UK party with respect to climate change and energy changing commitments on …
On the same day that the First Minister announced his Programme for Government, the British Prime Minister announced an end to the de facto ban on onshore windfarms in England. That the announcement from Rishi Sunak was more material than anything Humza Yousaf had to say about energy shows how low the bar has been …
Where is energy in the Programme for Government? – Stuart Paton Read More »
In 2015, shortly after becoming First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon described education as her ‘defining mission’ and shortly afterwards launched the Scottish Attainment Challenge, designed to eliminate the gap in attainment between disadvantaged and other pupils. Although progress has been slow and very limited, the aim was a worthy one and there is no reason to …
Education & the Programme for Government – Keir Bloomer Read More »
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for a while, but one thing is for sure, it is here to stay. Advancements in awareness and uptake of AI has grown significantly, especially since November last year when the generative AI tool ChatGPT came into the mainstream. Naturally, something of this scale and potential gave rise to …
AI in UK education can be transformative – Jonathan Rees Read More »
The Hayward report has now been published, and it makes some striking recommendations: Scrap all exams before S5. This would mean there would be no exam at the end of studying National 5. Have students work towards a Scottish Diploma of Achievement (SPA), made up of “programmes of learning” (normal classes like French, Maths, Art …
The Hayward Report – A Maths Teacher’s Reaction – Bryn Jones Read More »
We are currently in the eye of a perfect storm in providing services for our communities, be that within public, private or voluntary sector spheres. Services are cracking, many with insufficient funding. Processes are not fit for purposes in many instances – especially around commissioning and procuring services. We are seeing vast cost increases at …
Procurement : a provocation The wrong tool for the wrong job? – Helen Chambers Read More »
The Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment will shape Scottish secondary schooling for decades to come. The Review was Commissioned by the Scottish government last summer, and reported last week. The Review’s chair, Professor Louise Hayward, has ensured its durability by embedding its conclusions in a complex network of consultations with all the influential interest …
I eagerly awaited the publication of the National Discussion on Education final report and ‘All Learners in Scotland Matter’ was published on 31 May 2023. The report, typical of other Scottish Government commissioned reports into education, was disappointing. It had vague calls for action but no concrete detail on how the system should change. As …
“All Learners in Scotland Matter”, No They Don’t – Dr Gillian Evans Read More »
It is hopefully understood by all politicians in Scotland, if not yet by most of the wider public, that Scotland faces a serious demographic challenge. Our population is rapidly ageing, and our rates of fertility and immigration are currently too low to prevent an impending decline in our numbers. There will soon not be enough …
Domestic policies deter people from moving to Scotland – Roy Leckie Read More »