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EDUCATING FOR EXCELLENCE: Choice and Opportunity
The Executive's Response to the National Debate
MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
I want to see excellent comprehensive schools, at the heart of local communities. We must give the best life chance to each child, providing the highest quality education, developing talent and creativity across Scotland in urban, rural and island communities. Every child should share a common expectation - a first class school experience.
I am committed to raising standards in Scottish education. I also want Scottish education to realise the potential of every child in every community; closing the opportunity gap.
As I visit schools across Scotland I see examples of excellent learning and teaching, of motivated, creative young people, of achievements often in the face of barriers and disadvantage. Those visits - and my own experiences as a parent - have given me a clear idea of what makes an excellent school. But I recognise that not all schools are yet excellent; not all pupils have schools which offer them all the opportunities they need to get on in life and achieve their full potential. Responses to the National Debate demonstrated broad consensus among teachers, parents and young people about the priorities for improvement.
We will act on these, to:
- ensure that every pupil's learning needs are met;
- increase involvement of parents in their children's education;
- reduce curriculum overload and create more local flexibility and choice;
- reduce the amount of time taken up by tests and exams;
- give headteachers more control over the running of their schools; and
- create bright, modern places to learn.
Our programme sets out the steps we will take to secure these improvements. We are building on solid foundations. We will complete the reforms introduced through the national agreement, "A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century", to deliver a better quality of education in Scotland. The Scottish Budget provides historic levels of investment in education for the next 3 years.
The interest in the National Debate showed that people care passionately about education. I am grateful to everyone who took part and look forward to working, in partnership, to delivering a world class education for all Scotland's children.
Cathy Jamieson, MSP
Minister for Education and Young People
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