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 »
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 »
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 »
The Scottish government has announced that Scotland will re-join the main international surveys which investigate pupils’ understanding of mathematics, science and reading. This is good news. The data from the surveys will cast light on the effectiveness of Scottish policy and professional practice in ways that have been missing since Scotland withdrew a decade and …
Beyond the international education surveys – Lindsay Paterson Read More »
Ten tasks for the new education secretary No-one could envy the multiple challenges faced by the new education secretary in the Scottish government, Jenny Gilruth. Apart from the lingering effects of Covid – when schools were closed, online lessons were intermittent, and social inequalities were magnified – there is also the legacy of years of …
Ten tasks for the new education secretary – Lindsay Paterson Read More »
It was a conversation with my sister about our dad’s death which sparked the initial thought that maybe I could draw attention to an issue that seems to have gone almost unnoticed. She had been just 8 and my other sister 13 when Dad died suddenly one Saturday morning of a massive heart attack. Our …
Change is needed if we are to better support bereaved children – Christine Jardine MP Read More »
The Scottish Government seeks to ensure that every child and young person succeeds, regardless of their background. They aim to raise attainment, promote the highest standards of literacy and numeracy and close the gap between disadvantaged and more affluent learners. This cannot be achieved using the resources available within the education system. We need to …
Making effective collaboration in Scotland a reality – Gillian Hunt Read More »