Reforms for Ambitious, Excellent Schools

On November 1st Peter Peacock, the Scottish Education Minister unveiled 12 key actions to improve Scotland's schools. As part of a wider package of reforms, the Minister sees these as the most comprehensive modernisation programme for a generation. Read more ...

The dozen key reforms, which are particularly aimed at secondary schools are:
- A new gold standard called the Excellence Standard, for top performing schools
- A new 3 to 18 curriculum to deliver more choice, a greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy and more time for pupils to study Highers
- A review of Standard Grades to simplify the exams structure
- Allowing pupils to sit exams earlier by abolishing the "age and stage" regulations
- Allowing primary teachers to work in secondary schools with a view to improving performance from P7 to S1
- A new Leadership Academy
- A Schools of Ambition Programme to fast-track improvements in those schools most in need of transformation or those who want to extend themselves further
- Extending devolved school management
- New Skills for Work courses and qualifications to provide pupils with more vocational choices and opportunities
- More international comparisons
- A new Survey of Achievement to ensure the best possible information on schools' performance
- A new round of local authority inspections

If you want to know more about these reforms check the Parentzone website on www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk