Swinney urged to ‘listen and learn’ from vote on P1 testing
Educatin Secretary John Swinney needs to call an “immediate halt” to assessments of P1 pupils if Holyrood votes against the controversial tests, opposition politicians have insisted.
Education
Demo of P1 tests will allow ‘informed debate’ – Swinney
Education Secretary John Swinney has invited opponents of national testing for P1 pupils to see first-hand what the tests involve, before MSPs vote on scrapping then.
Education Secretary urged to respect Holyrood vote on P1 tests
Education Secretary John Swinney has come under increased pressure to respect the result of a crunch Holyrood vote on controversial primary one tests.
It would be deeply irresponsible to scrap P1 tests, warns minister
Scrapping controversial tests for primary one pupils would be deeply irresponsible, Education Secretary John Swinney has said.
Ed Sheeran speaks out against cuts to music education in state schools
Ed Sheeran has spoken out against cuts to music education in state schools, saying he benefited from the tuition he received as a student.
North-east school extension plans approved
Plans to extend a north-east primary school have been approved.
Tories criticised by Nicola Sturgeon over ‘hypocrisy’ on P1 testing
Nicola Sturgeon branded the Scottish Conservatives “shameless opportunists” who “care not a jot about school children” as she defended her government’s controversial assessments for youngsters aged four and five.
Roald Dahl Day: Pupils dress up as famous characters on author’s birthday
Roald Dahl Day is being celebrated by school children up and down the country, with pupils dressing up as their favourite characters to mark the occasion.
Fees forcing children to hand back musical instruments, MSPs told
Hundreds of children across Scotland have been forced to hand back musical instruments because of unaffordable tuition fees, MSPs have been told.
Parents admit turning to church to get their children into good school
Going to church, buying a second home or using a relative’s address are some of the tactics used by parents to get their child into a good school, a report has revealed.
Post-study work visa call renewed after migration report
Calls for the reintroduction of a post-study work visa have been renewed after a report concluded it should be easier for foreign graduates to stay in the UK to work.
Scotland’s teachers work longer hours than international average
Hours teachers in Scotland can be required to work are higher than average, an international education survey has shown.
One in four graduates reports being overqualified for their jobs
One in four UK graduates reports being overqualified for their jobs, with the OECD saying this may partly be down to some of them lacking basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Council accused of ‘spin’ over £100 million Aberdeen schools plan
Aberdeen City Council’s ruling coalition has been accused of “spin” over a £100 million schools plan.
Almost half the value of student loans will not be repaid, report suggests
Almost half the value of student loans will never be repaid, a report has suggested.
Bid to raise awareness of maths learning disorder in children
Researchers have found that many children are suffering from an undiagnosed developmental condition which impacts on their ability to learn mathematics.
First Minister launches expanded reading challenge
Pupils are being urged to sign up for the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, now open to all primary and secondary schools.
All Scottish councils meeting clothing grant pledge, Cosla says
Every council in Scotland is offering eligible families a grant of at least £100 to help with the cost of school uniforms, officials have confirmed.
Scottish Labour lodges Holyrood motion calling for P1 tests to be scrapped
Scottish Labour is lodging a parliamentary motion calling for controversial primary school tests to be scrapped.
North-east pupils in ‘oil field’ challenge
Secondary pupils in the north-east will take part in a STEM challenge (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) over the coming months.
Lib Dems would back boycott of tests for primary one pupils
The Scottish Liberal Democrats would support a boycott of controversial tests for primary one pupils, the party’s leader will tell members.
Richard Leonard criticises Government response to Yammer app controversy
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has accused the Government of failing to ensure proper safeguarding on a school network app.
Unruly guests, gaffes and ketchup graffiti – the profile of a naughty student
From social media faux pas to graffiti daubed on the side of a car in ketchup, students have found imaginative ways to get themselves hauled before university bosses.
Thousands of students investigated for a range of misconduct, new figures show
University students have been investigated tens of thousands of times for misconduct during a three-year period, from serious assault, threats of violence and sexual offending to more trivial offences – including eating the vice-chancellor’s sandwich.
John Swinney apologises for ‘misleading’ P1 tests letter
Education Secretary John Swinney has apologised to parliament for a “misleading” letter on controversial primary school tests sent by a senior civil servant.
University leaders call for new visa for international students
University leaders are calling for a new visa that allows international students to work in the UK for up to two years after they graduate.
Six out of 10 parents think smartphones should be banned in school – survey
Over half of parents believe that smartphones should be banned inside school, according to a survey.
Parents paying £73,000 premium for homes near Scotland’s best schools
Parents have to fork out almost £73,000 more on average to buy a home near to Scotland’s best performing schools, new research has shown.
John Swinney ‘very focused’ on getting more teachers for the north-east
Education Secretary John Swinney said he is “very focused” on trying to secure additional teachers to fill vacancies in the north-east.
Parents to get say on planned changes to north-east town’s school catchment areas
Parents are to be asked their views over proposals to change catchment areas for a town’s schools that could see some children relocated to different facilities.