Scotland
The latest news, analysis, investigations and professional advice covering everything to do with the schools sector in Scotland
Tuesday
10th Dec 2024
High rates of persistent pupil absence in Scottish schools
School attendance data shows slight improvement in persistent absence rates, but they remain at high levels compared with pre-Covid years
Number of teachers in Scottish primaries drops by over 600 in a year
Teacher numbers fell in 26 of Scotland’s 32 councils between 2023 and 2024 – with just 13 per cent of new primary teachers securing a permanent job by September
Wednesday
4th Dec 2024
Gilruth backs controversial SQA Higher history review
Education secretary describes review as a ‘rigorous report’, saying she has full confidence in it – and the SQA
Scottish Budget 2024: £29m ASN plan announced
More teachers will become additional support needs specialists, says finance secretary in her Budget statement – but opponents warn of a ‘huge cut’ to school funding
Tuesday
3rd Dec 2024
Higher history: a view from the principal assessor and senior team leader
As a parliamentary committee prepares to address recent concerns over Higher history tomorrow, the teachers who lead on the subject for the SQA give their perspective on the recent controversy
Threat of formal dispute over teachers’ class-contact time
Tomorrow’s Scottish Budget is the last chance for ministers to lay out a ‘very clear plan’ on how teachers’ class-contact time will be reduced, warns SNCT
SQA exam appeals: what happened in your sector and subject in 2024?
Independent schools have best success rate with SQA appeals, while there are also significant differences by subject and level of deprivation, official data shows
Scottish education bill ‘needs big changes’ for reforms to work
The Scottish government must ensure ‘strong accountability’ of the new bodies and a ‘more coherent vision’ for education reform, say MSPs