It's 2024: Surely young people have the right to their own beliefs? Some people, it seems, are entirely unaware that we’re living in 2024, and they made that very clear earlier this week.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. The year, dear readers, is 2024. It has now been five years since Covid...

20.12.2024 1

James Mcenaney

Our series shows that we are certainly not getting it right for every child Over the course of this week we’ve been running a special on additional support needs (ASN) in schools and asking if we really are ‘getting it right for every child’?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Over the course of this week we’ve been running a special on additional support...

13.12.2024 3

James Mcenaney

The SNP announced a new "ASN plan" for schools... but what if it doesn't exist? Within a few hours, a key budget proposals had already started to fall apart.

Unsurprisingly, the big stories this week are going to revolve around the Scottish Government’s budget proposals, which have now been presented to...

05.12.2024 4

James Mcenaney

How a disastrous committee appearance confirmed that the SQA needs new leadership The exam board's chief executive appeared at the education committee alongside education secretary Jenny Gilruth. It did not go well.

Given the prominence of schools in Scottish politics, the education committee (officially the Education, Children and Young People Committee) at...

04.12.2024 5

James Mcenaney

The complicated reality of the one high school on Mull If you’ve never lived in the parts of Scotland that are considered ‘remote’ then I think it is very difficult, and perhaps entirely impossible, to really understand what a school is, does, and means to people in communities far from the central belt.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. If you’ve never lived in the parts of Scotland that are considered ‘remote’...

28.11.2024 7

James Mcenaney

The questions over Higher History marking saga just won't stop coming

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Pretty much since this year’s exam results were released, we’ve been...

14.11.2024 5

James Mcenaney

I took an expert to a STEM event. Here's what happened. I needed an expert, but not a doctor or a computer engineer or even an astronaut...

Sometimes what you really need is an expert opinion, and there’s nothing like diving into an area of intense specialism to help you reach that...

07.11.2024 10

James Mcenaney

Is real education reform now out of reach - at least until after the next election? Education writer James McEnaney looks back over the latest attempts to reform Scottish education and asks what happens next.

Is real education reform now out of reach – at least until after the next election? Back in June 2021, the Scottish Government told us that a...

02.11.2024 10

James Mcenaney

I complained about education coverage then got the chance to do something about it I was pretty open when I started this job that the goal was to make things better. For years I had complained about the quantity and quality of coverage of Scottish education in the mainstream press, and now we were being given the chance to change the equation.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Today is an important day for the education team at The Herald. My colleague...

31.10.2024 6

James Mcenaney

Higher History exam marking fiasco is worse than it appears It has now been more than two months since The Herald first reported on what has become the latest in a seemingly endless line of SQA scandals.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. It has now been more than two months since The Herald first reported on what has...

24.10.2024 4

James Mcenaney

Education money going abroad? Well, Jenny Gilruth has more sitting in a drawer As The Herald reported yesterday, the Scottish Government has announced plans to invest millions of pounds supporting inclusive education in sub-Saharan Africa.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. As The Herald reported yesterday, the Scottish Government has announced plans to...

17.10.2024 5

James Mcenaney

The ridiculous and absurd saga of trying to accurately mark a History exam It’s hard to see any viable and fair solution other than a remark on Higher History exam papers. But what else is new?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. The ongoing problems with the SQA and Higher History are now becoming completely...

10.10.2024 4

James Mcenaney

We spent weeks researching Scotland's universities - but there's much more work to do In this weeks' education newsletter, James McEnaney reflects on The Herald's most recent impact series, which focused on the country's university system.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week The Herald ran our latest impact series, and this time we got to have a proper look at some of the big...

03.10.2024 5

James Mcenaney

Language teaching has just got even smaller as institution axes courses This isn’t just about school structures and pedagogy, or financial constraints; it is the consequence of something cultural that desperately needs to be confronted.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Towards the end of 2023, language teaching in Scotland became a big news story. ...

26.09.2024 6

James Mcenaney

The progress on education reform – has it all been a waste? The government’s approach is pretty much exactly what I would be doing if I wanted to look like I was reforming things while actually working to prevent change as much as possible.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. For years now, the Scottish Government has been promising to reform Scottish...

19.09.2024 3

James Mcenaney

The Scottish Government finally got something right on education The Scottish Government has gotten a lot wrong with education but, on this matter, they're right.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. The Scottish Government has gotten a lot wrong when it comes to education in this...

12.09.2024 7

James Mcenaney

The money was finally found to end colleges dispute... but from where? “Members cannot come to this chamber and rattle off a list of demands… without in any way identifying how they would be funded. That is reckless.”

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. “Members cannot come to this chamber and rattle off a list of demands…...

05.09.2024 3

James Mcenaney

It's always good to remember that there's more to education than exam results Our education writer reflects on attending a different sort of school awards ceremony.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. One of the good things about having a newsletter is that I can pretty much write...

29.08.2024 3

James Mcenaney

Teachers are blowing the whistle on the SQA – but the government doesn’t want to hear When TES Scotland asked the SQA about the falling pass rate for Higher History they were told that there was nothing wrong with the exam paper – there had just been a “drop in learners’ performance”.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. You will, I’m sure, already have seen lots about the 2024 exam results. The...

22.08.2024 3

James Mcenaney

Is the closure of two private schools something to worry about? It is not at all clear that Kilgraston or Cedars would have survived for much longer. But whatever the reasons behind them, it is undeniably the case that Scotland has seen two private schools announce closure in the same week.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. This week, we’ve been reporting that two of Scotland’s private schools are...

16.08.2024 9

James Mcenaney

No, exam results are not ‘back to normal’ – they’re worse Some people say things aren’t so bad, and that results have simply returned to the levels that we saw pre-pandemic. Is that really true?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. There’s only one big story in Scottish education this week – the publication...

08.08.2024 4

James Mcenaney

Young people have once again been failed by a system getting 'back to normal'

So here we are again: another exam results day, another SQA shambles. This morning, nearly 150,000 students across the country woke up to await...

06.08.2024 6

James Mcenaney

What if the exam appeals system is just a sham? With exam results coming up, we don’t know what is going to happen with the results themselves. But we do know a few things about the appeals system.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. It’s been a quiet few weeks on the education front, with staff and pupils...

01.08.2024 3

James Mcenaney

Ignore the Red Scare, Keir Starmer is right to apply VAT to private schools This is hardly a revolutionary bit of policymaking from Labour; if anything, it’s a relatively conservative move.

This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter. So there we have it: VAT will be applied to private school fees. Keir...

18.07.2024 4

James Mcenaney

A tale of two teenagers – with one crucial difference If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, I’d like to introduce you to a couple of teenagers. Their names are John and Greg.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, I’d like to introduce you to a couple...

11.07.2024 9

James Mcenaney

Learning an unexpected lesson in another part of the world I had promised my wife that I absolutely would not be working on holiday, and up to that point I’d done well to stick to that commitment. But I just couldn’t resist.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Today is Thursday the 4th of July, 2024 – and I have a problem. We’re now...

04.07.2024 4

James Mcenaney

A hard, punishing year for education – all the more important for the fight to go on It’s the end of another school year, and if conversations with teachers and parents have taught me anything it’s that this one has been particularly rough.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. It’s the end of another school year, and if conversations with teachers and...

27.06.2024 8

James Mcenaney

Why even I think a private school's new project could boost Scottish education

This weekend, The Herald is reporting on the launch of a new qualification, the International Sustainability Diploma, that has been developed by...

23.06.2024 10

James Mcenaney

Mentor programme funding cut needs transparency – show your working, councillors Councillors have waved cuts through even though a full Equality Impact Assessment has not been carried out. Both the SNP and the Greens have backed the cut – but why?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Earlier today, SNP and Green councillors in Glasgow voted through significant...

20.06.2024 8

James Mcenaney

The days of education being priority are long over. If that sounds brutal, it is. Glasgow City Council is facing a massive budget black hole, and in an attempt to fill it, officials have had to consider things that would have been seen as entirely unacceptable.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Ever since the council budget passed in February, we have been bringing you the...

13.06.2024 5

James Mcenaney

The surprising trials and tribulations of replacing a primary headteacher After more than two decades in charge, the headteacher of Killermont Primary School in Bearsden is heading off for a well-earned retirement, and a replacement is required. So far, so normal.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. After more than two decades in charge, the headteacher of Killermont Primary...

23.05.2024 40

James Mcenaney

Pupils with additional support needs are being failed... here's what went wrong Earlier this week, a new report declared that the majority of pupils with additional support needs are being failed… and nobody was surprised.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Earlier this week, a new report declared that the majority of pupils with...

16.05.2024 50

James Mcenaney

The state of Scotland's colleges – things can only get worse? When it comes to Scotland’s colleges, it looks like things can only get ̶b̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ worse.

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. When it comes to Scotland’s colleges, it looks like things can only get...

09.05.2024 40

James Mcenaney

'Industrial dispute is emotive and principled. It requires sacrifice.'

As The Herald's series into The State of Scotland's Colleges draws to a close, its impact has been noted across the sector. For students it has...

03.05.2024 40

James Mcenaney

Swinney, Gilruth, Forbes - Who is be the best First Minister for Scottish education? With Humza Yousaf resigning, which current SNP MSP would be the best First Minister for Scottish education?

It’s done. After just over a year, Humza Yousaf has announced his resignation as the First Minister of Scotland. His replacement will either have...

30.04.2024 20

James Mcenaney

Bute House Agreement has been an unmitigated disaster for Scottish education

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. I know this is meant to be an education newsletter. We’ll get there, I promise....

26.04.2024 10

James Mcenaney

Should primary school exclusions be banned? What does the data tell us?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Last weekend, alongside our articles about additional support needs provision...

11.04.2024 20

James Mcenaney

What on earth is going on with apprenticeships in Scotland?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. At the end of March, the Scottish Training Federation (STF) issued a press...

04.04.2024 10

James Mcenaney

The council responded to our education cuts story – let's go through it line by line

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. Today our big front-page story is an exclusive report on the education cuts being...

28.03.2024 10

James Mcenaney

The price society pays for the cost of childcare

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. This week we’ve been reporting on the impact of childcare costs on families in...

21.03.2024 4

James Mcenaney

Politicians chop away at education programmes... then refuse to talk

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. On Tuesday, we broke three exclusive education stories in one day. All of them...

29.02.2024 4

James Mcenaney

'Staff working conditions are student learning conditions'

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. A couple of days ago, several people got in touch with me to let me know about a...

22.02.2024 20

James Mcenaney

The plight of Scotland’s rural schools

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. All through last week, The Herald ran an ongoing special report called The New...

08.02.2024 20

James Mcenaney

Should Scotland increase the school starting age?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. This week we’ve been exclusively covering an attempt to spark a radical shift...

01.02.2024 20

James Mcenaney

Teachers are pushing for increased pay... but is there any money left for it?

This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter. This week, Scotland’s teachers submitted their pay claim for the coming year....

25.01.2024 30

James Mcenaney

Education review of the Year, James McEnaney: how 2023 changed me

As we approach the end of 2023, we’ve been looking back at the biggest issues and events in Scottish education over the last twelve months. Our...

26.12.2023 9

Categories

Sources

Popular

It's 2024: Surely young people have the right to their own beliefs? Some people, it seems, are entirely unaware that we’re living in 2024, and they made that very clear earlier this week.

James Mcenaney

Our series shows that we are certainly not getting it right for every child Over the course of this week we’ve been running a special on additional support needs (ASN) in schools and asking if we really are ‘getting it right for every child’?

James Mcenaney

The SNP announced a new "ASN plan" for schools... but what if it doesn't exist? Within a few hours, a key budget proposals had already started to fall apart.

James Mcenaney

How a disastrous committee appearance confirmed that the SQA needs new leadership The exam board's chief executive appeared at the education committee alongside education secretary Jenny Gilruth. It did not go well.

James Mcenaney

James Mcenaney

The questions over Higher History marking saga just won't stop coming

James Mcenaney

I took an expert to a STEM event. Here's what happened. I needed an expert, but not a doctor or a computer engineer or even an astronaut...

James Mcenaney

Is real education reform now out of reach - at least until after the next election? Education writer James McEnaney looks back over the latest attempts to reform Scottish education and asks what happens next.

James Mcenaney

James Mcenaney

Higher History exam marking fiasco is worse than it appears It has now been more than two months since The Herald first reported on what has become the latest in a seemingly endless line of SQA scandals.

James Mcenaney

Education money going abroad? Well, Jenny Gilruth has more sitting in a drawer As The Herald reported yesterday, the Scottish Government has announced plans to invest millions of pounds supporting inclusive education in sub-Saharan Africa.

James Mcenaney

The ridiculous and absurd saga of trying to accurately mark a History exam It’s hard to see any viable and fair solution other than a remark on Higher History exam papers. But what else is new?

James Mcenaney

We spent weeks researching Scotland's universities - but there's much more work to do In this weeks' education newsletter, James McEnaney reflects on The Herald's most recent impact series, which focused on the country's university system.

James Mcenaney

Language teaching has just got even smaller as institution axes courses This isn’t just about school structures and pedagogy, or financial constraints; it is the consequence of something cultural that desperately needs to be confronted.

James Mcenaney

The progress on education reform – has it all been a waste? The government’s approach is pretty much exactly what I would be doing if I wanted to look like I was reforming things while actually working to prevent change as much as possible.

James Mcenaney

The Scottish Government finally got something right on education The Scottish Government has gotten a lot wrong with education but, on this matter, they're right.

James Mcenaney

The money was finally found to end colleges dispute... but from where? “Members cannot come to this chamber and rattle off a list of demands… without in any way identifying how they would be funded. That is reckless.”

James Mcenaney

It's always good to remember that there's more to education than exam results Our education writer reflects on attending a different sort of school awards ceremony.

James Mcenaney

Teachers are blowing the whistle on the SQA – but the government doesn’t want to hear When TES Scotland asked the SQA about the falling pass rate for Higher History they were told that there was nothing wrong with the exam paper – there had just been a “drop in learners’ performance”.

James Mcenaney

Is the closure of two private schools something to worry about? It is not at all clear that Kilgraston or Cedars would have survived for much longer. But whatever the reasons behind them, it is undeniably the case that Scotland has seen two private schools announce closure in the same week.

James Mcenaney

No, exam results are not ‘back to normal’ – they’re worse Some people say things aren’t so bad, and that results have simply returned to the levels that we saw pre-pandemic. Is that really true?

James Mcenaney

Young people have once again been failed by a system getting 'back to normal'

James Mcenaney

What if the exam appeals system is just a sham? With exam results coming up, we don’t know what is going to happen with the results themselves. But we do know a few things about the appeals system.

James Mcenaney

Ignore the Red Scare, Keir Starmer is right to apply VAT to private schools This is hardly a revolutionary bit of policymaking from Labour; if anything, it’s a relatively conservative move.

James Mcenaney

A tale of two teenagers – with one crucial difference If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, I’d like to introduce you to a couple of teenagers. Their names are John and Greg.

James Mcenaney

Learning an unexpected lesson in another part of the world I had promised my wife that I absolutely would not be working on holiday, and up to that point I’d done well to stick to that commitment. But I just couldn’t resist.

James Mcenaney

A hard, punishing year for education – all the more important for the fight to go on It’s the end of another school year, and if conversations with teachers and parents have taught me anything it’s that this one has been particularly rough.

James Mcenaney

Why even I think a private school's new project could boost Scottish education

James Mcenaney

Mentor programme funding cut needs transparency – show your working, councillors Councillors have waved cuts through even though a full Equality Impact Assessment has not been carried out. Both the SNP and the Greens have backed the cut – but why?

James Mcenaney

The days of education being priority are long over. If that sounds brutal, it is. Glasgow City Council is facing a massive budget black hole, and in an attempt to fill it, officials have had to consider things that would have been seen as entirely unacceptable.

James Mcenaney

The surprising trials and tribulations of replacing a primary headteacher After more than two decades in charge, the headteacher of Killermont Primary School in Bearsden is heading off for a well-earned retirement, and a replacement is required. So far, so normal.

James Mcenaney

Pupils with additional support needs are being failed... here's what went wrong Earlier this week, a new report declared that the majority of pupils with additional support needs are being failed… and nobody was surprised.

James Mcenaney

The state of Scotland's colleges – things can only get worse? When it comes to Scotland’s colleges, it looks like things can only get ̶b̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ worse.

James Mcenaney

'Industrial dispute is emotive and principled. It requires sacrifice.'

James Mcenaney

Swinney, Gilruth, Forbes - Who is be the best First Minister for Scottish education? With Humza Yousaf resigning, which current SNP MSP would be the best First Minister for Scottish education?

James Mcenaney

Bute House Agreement has been an unmitigated disaster for Scottish education

James Mcenaney

Should primary school exclusions be banned? What does the data tell us?

James Mcenaney

What on earth is going on with apprenticeships in Scotland?

James Mcenaney

The council responded to our education cuts story – let's go through it line by line

James Mcenaney

The price society pays for the cost of childcare