Skip to main content

Scotland Giving More Power To Headteachers

Consultation on a bill to introduce radical reforms to the education system has been opened.

During the Programme for Government the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, made clear that the Education (Scotland) Bill 2018 will be the centerpiece of the legislative programme for the year ahead.



It will include a number of provisions to reform how schools are run and put schools in charge of key decisions about a child's education including;

- More freedom to make choices about curriculum, improvement and funding at school level,
- More freedom for headteachers to choose school staff and management structure,
- New regional improvement collaborative's to provide streamlined and strengthened support to teachers, drawing on experts from local authorities and Education Scotland,
- Strengthened engagement with young people and parents in schools.

The new powers will be guaranteed in a statutory charter for headteachers, with provisions to ensure young people and parents also have a stronger voice in schools.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, launched the consultation during a visit to the Royal High School in Edinburgh.

 Swinney said; "Improving education and closing the attainment gap is this governments number one priority. Our focus is unwavering in ensuring every child, no matter their circumstances, has an equal chance to succeed.

"There is already much to be celebrated within our education system but radical reform is required to make the improvements we all want to see. The consultation on the Education (Scotland) Bill will ensure that everyone with an interest in how our young people learn and develop will have an opportunity to contribute to the future education in Scotland.

"The reforms to be taken forward through the bill are all based on the presumption that decisions about children's learning and school life should be taken at school level. This is built on strong international evidence that empowered schools and engaged parents lead to a better education. I look forward to a constructive, informed and, no doubt, impassioned discussion around these proposals in the weeks to come." 

The ambitious Education (Scotland) Bill adds pressure to headteachers across Scotland who are already stretched thin by the most recent education reforms in Scotland.

Areas such as the Highlands have Headteachers governing a number of separate schools within the same area.

We would like the hear your opinion on the new Education (Scotland) Bill. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Increased Carer's Allowance To Be Delivered Next Summer.

The next milestone in building Scotland's new social security system will be the delivery of the first benefits and these will be the increased Carer's Allowance, the Best Start Grant and the Funeral Expense Assistance. The new benefits will be subject to the scrutiny and agreement of the Scottish Parliament. Social Security Secretary, Angela Constance, said; "The delivery of these first benefits is the next milestone in building Scotland's new social security system - the largest, most complex programme of change in the history of devolution. "The benefits we will deliver may be different in nature but there is one common thread which binds them - an investment in the people of Scotland. "Our approach will always treat people with fairness, dignity and respect, and there is no better way to show this than providing the support that they need and when they need it. These steps are key to helping us create a fairer country for all. "Our plan...

Extra Measures To Protect Scotland's Golden Eagles

Almost a third of golden eagles being tracked by satellite died in suspicious circumstance, scientists have found.  The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) research identified that the majority of cases were found where land is intensively managed for driven grouse shooting.  Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, confirmed to the Scottish Parliament she will now set up an expert group to look at managing grouse moors sustainably and within the law.  Following a request by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee the group will also advise on the option of licensing grouse shooting businesses.  The report studied the movements of 131 young golden eagles over a 12 year period, and found more than 40 had disappeared in suspicious circumstances. It also found there was no link between fitting satellite tags and the disappearance of the birds of prey and ruled out any connection with the position of wind turbines.  In response M...

Work-Based Learning Expansion

Hundreds of people will have the opportunity to study for degree-level courses while in employment thanks to a significant expansion of Graduate Level Apprenticeships. A total of 379 places will be made available for individuals to study for a degree, up to Masters levels, while in work in 2017-18. This builds on the investment that delivered a successful pilot of 27 places in the academic year of 2016-17. Skills Development Scotland is working with businesses, universities and colleges to deliver Graduate Level Apprenticeships. The programme aims to meet the needs of employers looking for high levels of academic and industry accreditation combined with experience in the workplace. Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn, said; "We carried out a consultation with employers, which identified a need for skills that better support businesses and help them grow. "As a result we have committed to expanding the number of Graduate Level Apprenticeships, br...