Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Thursday
10th Jun 2021
‘This is the same shambles as 2020 - just more sleekit’
First minister Nicola Sturgeon faces accusations that a second grading crisis is looming in Scotland
‘Huge increase’ in need for pupil mental health support
EIS president calls for better support for pupils who have suffered grief, loss, domestic abuse and hunger
Wednesday
9th Jun 2021
‘Leave education to people who know what they’re doing’
Education bodies such as SQA and Education Scotland need more independence from government to serve schools best, says headteacher Rod Grant
Heads to lead up to 8 schools under cost-cutting plans
Headteachers would be responsible for children from preschool to upper secondary under council’s plan
Tuesday
8th Jun 2021
Bring back face masks in class now, teachers demand
Schools with ‘poor ventilation’ should also be helped amid spread of Delta variant, government told
Sturgeon: Teen vaccines could prevent school disruption
Vaccination could be ‘important way of giving children greater protection’, says first minister
A third of secondary students off in virus hotspot
Heads describe stats showing national school attendance down to 88 per cent in the week before half-term as ‘worrying’
Monday
7th Jun 2021
Catch-up: ‘Did the right man resign?’ Williamson asked
Education secretary faced gasps and groans from MPs as he defended the Department for Education’s school catch-up plan in Parliament today
Williamson: ‘Too many schools’ restricting lunch hours
Education secretary criticises schools over shortened lunch breaks as he outlines plan to review length of school day
Fresh call for cuts to class sizes and contact time
Dramatic reductions in class sizes and contact time envisaged by 2030 in proposals tabled at EIS conference
School catch-up plan is ‘bargain basement’, DfE told
Education minister accused of ‘defending the indefensible’ over school Covid recovery plan in the House of Lords