Last chance for say on planned education shake-up

Changes proposed as part of the education shake-up include headteachers being handed new powers and those in the most deprived areas being given direct funding from the Scottish government in a bid to reduce the attainment gap.

Plans are also in place to give schools, rather than councils, more control over decisions and funding.

Hundreds of people have already taken part in a consultation on the proposals but anyone in Renfrewshire or East Renfrewshire who would like to have their say must do so by Friday.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: “At the heart of the review is 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 leads to better education.

“Scotland pioneered publicly-funded comprehensive school education for all. The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to this and I have already made clear that this review will not end up with the Scottish Government running schools, the divisive academy model or a return to selection or grammar schools.

“There is still time to have a say on our proposed reforms and I want to hear from as many people as possible before our consultation closes on January 6.”

Councillors in Renfrewshire have already agreed a response to the consultation, expressing concerns the reforms would increase teachers’ workload and threaten existing partnerships that see schools work with other agencies to meet children’s needs.

The plans were also criticised as reducing the ability of communities to make their own choices, as appointed regional boards could take over decision-making powers currently held by locally-elected councillors who are responsible to voters.

Anyone who would like to take part in the consultation should visit the website consult.scotland.gov.uk/empowering-schools/a-governance-review before the January 6 deadline.