Recent statistics indicating that 12,402 pupils have missed at least half of the school year—enough to fill almost 400 classrooms—should concern us all.
While we support mainstream education wherever appropriate, it can only succeed if schools have the staff and specialist support to make inclusion for those with additional support needs (ASN) meaningful.
More than two out of five (43 per cent) of Scotland’s pupils are now identified as having an additional support need, with numbers more than doubling over the past decade. Yet the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen. Additionally, as the number of those with ASN experiencing greater complexity of need increases, special school provision may be required, yet the number of such schools has declined.
The link between unmet additional support needs and poor attendance is clear. Too many families are waiting for support while schools struggle with shortages of specialist teachers, classroom assistants, educational psychologists and mental health professionals.
Identifying children with ASN is only the first step. They must receive the timely support needed to attend school, achieve their potential and avoid poorer educational and mental health outcomes.
Scotland urgently needs greater investment to deliver genuinely inclusive education. Without it, we risk failing not only children with ASN and their families, but every pupil and teacher in Scotland’s classrooms.
Mackie’s family/business story. Angus, Karin, Kirstin and Mac
CHARITIES and community groups across the country are being invited to apply for a share of a £40,000 fund, set up to mark 40 years of Mackie’s making ice cream on the family farm in Aberdeenshire.
The Mackie’s of Scotland Charity Grant will award three organisations with a £10,000 grant through an application process, while a further ten will be awarded £1,000 donations through a staff-led selection process.
Charities and community groups supporting young people, strengthening communities, promoting wellbeing, protecting the environment or delivering vital services to those who need them most are being encouraged to apply.
Mac Mackie, Chairman at Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “Forty years ago, we started making ice cream on the farm and the support of our local community has been central to the business’ growing success ever since.
“Mackie’s has always supported local causes and the community, but as we celebrate this milestone, we wanted to find a way to link it to our giving something back and our continued commitment to charities and communities across the country.”
Applications for one of three £10,000 grants can be submitted via the Mackie’s website by charities, with groups invited to share details of the work they do, the people they support and how the funding would help them make an even greater impact.
The ten £1,000 donations will be selected separately, with Mackie’s staff nominating charities and organisations close to their hearts.
Mac added: “Whether it’s a small local group or a charity supporting families right across the country, we know £10,000 or £1,000 can make a real difference. We can’t wait to see the applications come in and find out more about the incredible work taking place across the UK.”
The Mackie’s Charity Grant is the latest in a series of community-focused efforts by the ice cream maker, including its ongoing support for NHS Grampian and The Archie Foundation.
With the first ice cream tubs made on the family farm in 1986, Mackie’s has grown into one of the UK’s fastest-growing premium ice cream brands and Scotland’s best-selling (KantarWorldPanel, volume), while staying rooted in its Aberdeenshire community, where it still makes all of its ice cream and chocolate.
Charities have until 21st August to submit their applications for the £10,000 grants.
Six fire appliances, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a Wildfire Support Unit and a water carrier are at the scene
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a wildfire in the Glenmore area of the Cairngorms National Park for a fourth consecutive day, supported by specialist resources and helicopter water-bombing operations.
The situation on the ground remains dynamic and continues to be influenced by changing weather conditions, particularly wind strength and direction.
However, there has been significant progress over the past 24 hours, with conditions on both the eastern flank, including the Strathnethyarea, and the western flank showing marked improvement compared with this time yesterday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continues to work in partnership with agencies and landowners to build on this progress.
The period between 3:00pm and 6:30pm remains the most challenging part of the day, as warmer temperatures and changing wind conditions can influence fire behaviour. Firefighters are continuing to monitor conditions closely and respond where required.
In light of the progress made, SFRS is reviewing its operational requirements and resource deployment for tonight and tomorrow. Crews remain fully committed to maintaining control of the incident and protecting local communities.
There are encouraging signs across the affected area, with visible improvements becoming increasingly evident. While this is positive, wildfires can change rapidly and unexpectedly, and it is important that we do not become complacent.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Michael Humphreys said: “We hope this update provides reassurance to local residents and communities. However, it is equally important that expectations are managed given the unpredictable nature of wildfire incidents and the ongoing influence of weather conditions.
“We would like to thank the partnership working of landowners and agencies and our local communities for their continued patience, and cooperation throughout this incident.”
With Argentina marching into the World Cup final after defeating England, and led by superstar captain Lionel Messi, let us not forget the key role that Scots played in forging this success.
Beyond current Argentine player Alexis MacAllister, whose ancestry can be traced back to Fife, it was two Scots, Alexander Watson Hutton and Alex Lamont, who were responsible for developing the game in the country. Indeed, Watson Hutton is considered “the father of Argentine football”.
Born in the Gorbals in 1853, he emigrated to Argentina in 1882, where he taught at St Andrew’s Scots School in Buenos Aires and then went on to found the Buenos Aires English School.
In 1891, the Association Argentine Football League was established by another Scot, Alex Lamont, who was headteacher at St Andrew’s school. It is recognised as the first football league in the country and outside the British Isles. It lasted only one season and was won by a team of Scots from St Andrew’s.
Two years later, Watson Hutton established the Argentine Association Football League and restarted the tournament. In 1898 his school formed a football team which went on to become the most decorated team in Argentine football until its dissolution in 1911.
So, when witnessing the ecstatic scenes in Argentina following the win over England, spare a thought for the critical role Scots played in that nation’s footballing success!
Edinburgh North-Western MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has today contacted the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, urging him to reconsider the Scottish Government’s 2018 decision to restrict the A90 slip roads at the Echline junction.
The restriction has seriously altered traffic movements into and out of Queensferry.
Almost overnight, there was a substantial increase in traffic using Station Road, Bankhead Road, and the B924 – roads that were never designed to accommodate such high volumes of traffic.
Since then, Builyeon Road became the principal route for vehicles entering and leaving the town, which has seriously decreased the safety of the road.
The new housing development in Queensferry at Builyeon Road will cause another diversion at the beginning of 2027, with traffic being re-routed through the residential development and past the new primary school.
Alex has urged the Cabinet Secretary to reverse the previous decision and open the slip roads to all traffic, cutting congestion and, crucially, improving road safety – especially for the young people who cross the road to get to school.
Speaking on the issue, Alex said: ‘The traffic flow in Queensferry has been a burden on residents for too many years now.
Many are having to wait in traffic, with my constituents also telling me how unsafe the road is to cross. This is all while a solution sits ready to be actioned.
Restoring these connections would provide a valuable alternative route for motorists, relieve pressure on the local road network, and reduce the volume of traffic which will pass through a residential neighbourhood and alongside a primary school.
I hope the Cabinet Secretary takes my concerns seriously, and we see a change soon.’
Licences granted for Caledonia offshore wind farms
Two offshore wind farms are set to be developed in the Moray Firth.
The North and South Caledonia offshore windfarms, which will cover an area of 429km2with up to 140 wind turbines, have been granted consents and marine licences by the Scottish Government. The projects estimate they could generate enough electricity annually to power 2 million households.
In its latest Supply Chain Development Statement, Ocean Winds has committed to spend £1.7 bn in Scotland across the two projects. The wind farms will support jobs across engineering, manufacturing, ports and vessels, as well as creating long-term operations and maintenance roles.
The Caledonia South project is planning to use a mix of foundation technologies and will help advance Scotland’s position as a world-leader in floating wind.
Developer Ocean Winds must mitigate and minimise impacts to the environment and other sea users, including preparing a detailed seabird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for. These plans will need to be approved by Ministers ahead of Caledonia North and South proceeding.
First Minister John Swinney said: “We have given the Caledonia North and South offshore wind farm applications very careful consideration.
“This consent decision is a significant step in Scotland’s progress towards tackling climate change and reaching net zero, which is a key priority for the Scottish Government.
“It is also an important decision for Scotland’s renewables sector. This investment will be built upon further through the delivery of Scotland’s significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects.
“We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation to minimise impacts on the marine environment and other marine users, balancing the needs of people and nature.”
Scottish Surfing and Lost Shore are investing in the future of the sport
With Scotland preparing to welcome the Commonwealth Games this summer, Scottish Surfing and Lost Shore are encouraging children to discover a sport that could inspire the country’s next generation of athletes.
Children across Scotland are being invited to catch their very first wave this summer, with Scottish Surfing offering free beginner surf lessons at Lost Shore Surf Resort as part of SportScotland’s ‘Summer of Sport’ campaign.
Research increasingly highlights surfing’s positive impact on physical fitness, confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing, making it an ideal activity for young people during the school holidays.
The free sessions are taking place on Sunday 26th July and Sunday 2nd August from 10.30am, at Europe’s largest inland surf destination Lost Shore Surf Resort, located just outside Edinburgh.
Open to primary and secondary school children aged seven and over, the sessions give young people the opportunity to experience surfing in a safe, fun and supportive environment completely free of charge.
Delivered through Scottish Surfing’s Catch the Wave programme, the initiative is designed to widen participation in surfing, introduce young people to the sport at an early age and help build Scotland’s future surfing community .
Participants will receive expert coaching from qualified instructors, all surfing equipment and wetsuits, followed by lunch to refuel after their time in the wave pool.
SportScotland’s Summer of Sport is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage children and young people to get active, try new sports and enjoy positive experiences during the school holidays.
Mark Boyd, from Scottish Surfing, said: “Catch the Wave is all about giving young people the opportunity to experience surfing for the first time, regardless of their background or previous experience. We know that trying something new can be life-changing, helping build confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of being active.
“Working alongside Lost Shore gives us an incredible venue where children can learn in a safe and controlled environment with expert coaching and guaranteed waves. We’re proud to be part of Summer of Sport and hope this inspires even more young people to discover everything surfing has to offer.”
Lee Wood, Managing Director of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “One of the reasons Lost Shore was created was to give more people the opportunity to experience surfing, regardless of where they live or whether they’ve ever stepped into the sea. These sessions are exactly what that vision is about.”
“The sessions build on Lost Shore’s growing programme of community initiatives, schools engagement and youth development activities designed to make surfing more accessible across Scotland.”
Lost Shore’s consistent, controlled waves provide an ideal environment for first-time surfers, allowing children to build confidence without the unpredictability of the open sea. Every participant will be supported by experienced coaches throughout the session, with all equipment provided.
Places are limited and must be booked in advance. For more information about the Catch the Wave programme and to register for a free place, visit scottishsurfing.scot/catch-the-wave.
To explore other surf opportunities including lessons and kids camps at Lost Shore Surf Resort visit www.lostshore.com and Scottish Surfing members can take advantage of a 20% discount.
Coastguards have scored a huge win in their campaign to stop their pay being cut.
Minister for Transport Keir Mather announced in parliament yesterday [Thursday] the Maritime and Coastguard Agency [MCA]’s plan to stop hourly remuneration for attending incidents and training exercises would be halted.
Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) carry out rescues and search for missing people around the UK’s coast, including Scotland, Wales and England’s south coast.
The move had followed a landmark case by GMB Union, which saw the Court of Appeal uphold a judgement classifying coastguards as workers.
Now, following a sustained campaign by GMB Coastguards, the move has been stopped.
Nicola Savage, GMB National Officer, said:“This is a richly deserved win for GMB’s coastguards, who took their campaign across the UK and into the corridors of power.
“It was a scandal that these brave, life-saving workers would have their pay cut.
“But Ministers have listened and done the right thing.”
Mauled by midgies, tormented by ticks, chomped by clegs?
Scotland’s summer wildlife is out in full force and they’re hungry!
Whether you’re hiking the Highlands or just enjoying a garden BBQ, insect bites can be more than just annoying. Some can cause allergic reactions or even carry infections like Lyme disease.
Top tips to stay bite-free:
Use insect repellent
Wear long sleeves and trousers in grassy or wooded areas
Keep food covered
Avoid strong perfumes that attract bugs
If you’re camping, avoid pitching your tent near water like rivers or lochs
If you’ve been bitten and it’s swollen, painful or not healing, get it checked. Your pharmacist can provide helpful advice or visit our bites and stings page on #NHSinform.
Dry weather has led to more Scottish river catchments moving through the water scarcity levels, according to the latest report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
The number of catchments affected continues to grow this week, with four additional areas moving into Moderate Scarcity and nine more reaching Early Warning. Around half of Scotland’s river catchments are now at one of SEPA’s water scarcity levels.
Moderate Scarcity is now in place in the Tyne in Lothian, Firth of Forth, Firth of Tay, Don in Aberdeenshire, Esk and Tweed catchments.
Alert remains in place for the Deveron, Ythan, Dee in Aberdeenshire, Almond and Findhorn catchments, while Early Warning now covers the Conon, Spey, Tay, Earn, Ness, Forth, Esk in Dumfriesshire, Annan, Nith, Dee in Galloway, Cree, Clyde, Irvine and Ayr catchments.
The River Lossie catchment is no longer at Significant Scarcity following rainfall last weekend. However, the overall trend across Scotland is one of continued drying, with more catchments now affected.
Water scarcity means there is less water available in rivers, lochs and groundwater, increasing pressure on the environment and on businesses, farmers and other organisations that rely on taking water directly from these natural sources.
Rainfall has been normal to wet across western and much of northern Scotland. In contrast, much of the east has experienced dry conditions, with parts of Angus and Fife extremely dry.
River flows reflect this pattern, with high to very high flows across western catchments and low to very low flows across much of the east. In the Tweed catchment, July river flows at the Coldstream gauging station reached the second lowest recorded at the site since records began in 1971.
Ground conditions are dry across much of eastern Scotland, particularly in parts of the northeast and along the east coast. Groundwater levels in Fife are also very low for the time of year.
SEPA are continuing to work directly with businesses, farmers and other organisations that take water from rivers, lochs and groundwater, providing practical advice to help them plan ahead, use water efficiently and reduce pressure on the environment.
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “Scotland’s climate is changing, and periods of prolonged dry weather are becoming an increasingly important challenge for our rivers and the businesses that rely on taking water directly from the environment.
“While conditions are not as severe as they were at this point last year, the coming weeks and months are a critical time for water demand. Those who take water directly from rivers, lochs and groundwater should already be taking steps to use less, plan ahead and make sure they are prepared if conditions continue to deteriorate.
“We are working directly with businesses and other water users in affected catchments, providing practical advice to help them manage water responsibly and reduce pressure on Scotland’s rivers and the plants and animals that depend on them.
“Acting early will help protect the environment and reduce the risk of restrictions being needed later in the summer. Anyone concerned about accessing enough water for their business, or who needs advice on preparing for drier conditions, should contact SEPA as early as possible.”
SEPA are advising businesses and other organisations that take water directly from the environment to:
monitor how much water they are using;
use water as efficiently as possible;
keep equipment in good working order to reduce leaks and losses;
understand the water scarcity level in their catchment;
have contingency plans in place should conditions worsen.
People can also help by reporting signs of water scarcity, including exceptionally low river levels, dry riverbeds and impacts on habitats, through SEPA’s website.
These observations complement SEPA’s monitoring network and help build a clearer picture of conditions across Scotland.
The latest Water Scarcity Report, catchment maps, advice for businesses and other water users, and information on reporting signs of water scarcity are available on SEPA’s website at sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity
Top tips to stay bite-free:
Use insect repellent