Edinburgh will become one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phone use in schools at the start of the new school year in August.
Councillors at Education, Children and Families Committee agreed a ‘bell to bell’ ban of mobile phones, with lockable pouches to be introduced in every secondary school in the city. Learners at secondary schools will have to place mobile phones in lockable pouches for the duration of the school day. Primary school aged pupils will have to lock mobile phones away in cabinets.
It was also agreed that secondary school senior leadership teams will have the opportunity to develop their own guidance regarding senior phase (S5-S6) pupils’ access to their mobile phones during break, lunchtime and independent study time.
Mobile phone restrictions are already in place at two Edinburgh secondary schools, Portobello and Queensferry High Schools, where trials of lockable pouches have been underway since last year. Anecdotal feedback from staff and young people at both schools is positive.
A six-week citywide consultation on mobile phone restrictions earlier this year received almost 14,000 responses from parents/carers, pupils and school staff. Results were overwhelming in support of a ban, with 97% of secondary school staff and 94% of parents/carers favouring a ban, and 53% of young people supporting restrictions during teaching time.
Alongside the consultation, separate and targeted engagement has taken place with groups of secondary school pupils, head teachers, unions, members of the Scottish Youth Parliament and Edinburgh Youth Action.
A £400,000 one-off budget for purchase of lockable pouches and storage cabinets was agreed at the Council’s annual budget setting meeting in February this year. A strategy for the current and future procurement of pouches will also be developed.
In bringing in mobile phone restrictions, special consideration will be given for pupils with health needs or caring responsibilities who may need access to their mobile phone during the school day. The council will develop guidance for schools, including how exemptions will work in practice.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor said: “This is a monumental step for Edinburgh’s children and young people and I am proud that we are one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phones in schools.
“I’ve been clear from the start that we wanted to be bold in our ambition to make our schools phone free environments that enable our teachers to teach and pupils to learn without the distraction of devices in the classroom.
“The uniform introduction of lockable pouches in all our secondary schools will level the playing field for all learners in Edinburgh, streamlining a phone free schools policy and guaranteeing that every single young person can get the most out of their time in the classroom.
“We know from the two pilots already underway that keeping phones out of the classroom is positive and alongside our consultation showing broad support from teachers, school staff and parents/carers, I am confident that these restrictions will be warmly welcomed and hugely impactful.”
Young people are facing a starter jobs drought after vacancies suitable for first-time workers fell by almost half over the past decade, according to new research.
Analysis of Adzuna job vacancy data by the Work Foundation and Lancaster University found average weekly starter job vacancies dropped by 49%, from 139,000 in 2016-17 to 71,000 in 2025-26, tightening competition for young people seeking their first step into work.
The study, carried out in partnership with Liverpool City Council, also found that the number of starter jobs available in 2025-26 was at its lowest level since the Covid pandemic.
The researchers said there was only one starter job vacancy for every three young people aged 16 to 24 who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) across the UK in late 2025.
The picture was even more stark in some regions, with six NEET young people competing for every starter vacancy in the North East and five in the East Midlands.
Researchers warned that competition is significantly higher than these figures suggest, as young people who are NEET are also competing against students, workers seeking a new role and older people returning to the labour market.
Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said: “This research shines a new light on the dramatic decline of job options available to those who want to work.
“The Government must take decisive steps to improve the quality and security of work on offer to young people, particularly in those parts of the country where the jobs market is weakest.”
Dr Divya Jyoti from Lancaster University Management School, who led the research with young people, commented: “Through no fault of their own, many young people in this study have faced difficult transitions and systemic barriers through their education and early lives.
“They are trying to find work in an extremely competitive market but are receiving little feedback or encouragement. We need to see strengthened support with trusted organisations to enable young people to take their first steps into work in such challenging local labour markets.”
Young people face jobs drought as ‘starter’ vacancies fall by half in last decade
· Analysis of Adzuna job vacancy data shows ‘starter’ jobs – vacancies that would be accessible for someone entering the workforce for the first time – have fallen by 49% over the last decade
· Figures suggest the number of starter jobs available for young people in 2025-26, averaging 71,000 vacancies a week, is the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21
· Young people’s chances of finding work varies significantly depending on where they live – there are six young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the North East for every starter job vacancy, compared to a national average of three to one
· Researchers call on Government to prioritise a more localised approach to place-based barriers to youth employment, alongside a focus on job creation and more support for young people while they are in education.
The Government’s youth employment drive faces a significant challenge as young people face a ‘starter’ jobs drought.
Researchers from the Work Foundation and Lancaster University, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, studied job vacancy data and undertook focus groups with young people in Morecambe and Liverpool.
The research shows that nationally, average weekly starter job vacancies have fallen by almost half (49%) from 2016-17 to 2025-26. And while total vacancies have fallen in recent years, the decline in starter jobs has been 1.6 times faster than for other jobs in the last 12 months (8.1% compared to 12.8%).
The largest contributor to the fall in starter jobs are declines in associate professional occupations – such as roles in human resources, business sales executives, and advertising and marketing roles – with average weekly vacancies falling by 73% from 2016/17 to 2025/26. Roles in sales and customer service occupations (such as retail assistants and call centre operatives) have also fallen by 59% since 2016/17.
In Oct-Dec 2025, there was only one starter job vacancy per three NEET young people in the UK.[1] Competition for these jobs is even higher than these figures suggest, as NEET young people will be competing with applicants who are in education, those already in work and looking to change jobs, as well as older workers looking to re-enter the workforce.
Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said, “The Milburn Review has rightly highlighted the systemic failures that make it much harder for many young people to enter and remain in employment. But this research shines a new light on the dramatic decline of job options available to those who want to work.
“The implications are clear – the Government must take decisive steps to improve the quality and security of work on offer to young people – particularly in those parts of the country where the jobs market is weakest.
“And we need to see more powers and funding devolved to address other place-based barriers to work, such as poor transport connectivity and skills, which often mean young people are unable to access employment opportunities that do exist.
“Without action to create more good-quality jobs, we risk investing heavily in reforms to education and employment support, while still leaving too many young people without a viable route into sustainable work.”
Where you live influences your experience of being NEET
Adzuna data suggests that NEET young people in the North and the Midlands face a more significant starter jobs shortage and are more constrained by the ongoing weakening in local labour markets:
In Oct-Dec 2025 in the North East, there were six NEET young people for every starter job vacancy, and in East Midlands, there were five
The quality of starter jobs also varies by region with starter job vacancies for young people in the North West much more likely to be temporary than those for the wider UK population in 2025.
Young people who participated in the study in Morecambe and Liverpool also reported a series of place-based challenges to employment.
Many participants described struggling early in life, shaping how they later engaged with support services such as JobCentres and council-funded programmes. Young people were grateful for support they received through the local council and voluntary sector, but awareness of these opportunities varied, and many voluntary sector schemes are struggling for long-term funding.
Participants also stated that hiring processes were complex, impersonal, and demoralising, with applications receiving little or no feedback. AI recruitment and automation appeared to create additional barriers for young people with lower attainment from secondary education.
Dr Divya Jyoti from Lancaster University Management School, who led the research with young people, together with colleagues, commented: “The young people we met in Morecambe and Liverpool aspire to be in education, work, or training but they feel alienated from the labour market.
“Through no fault of their own, many young people in this study have faced difficult transitions and systemic barriers through their education and early lives. They are trying to find work in an extremely competitive market but are receiving little feedback or encouragement. We need to see strengthened support with trusted organisations to enable young people to take their first steps into work in such challenging local labour markets.”
In response to the rising numbers of NEET young people, the UK Government has announced a £1 billion package to support youth employment initiatives and have commissioned the Milburn Review to identify the factors driving the rise in the NEET numbers.
Taking account of the findings of the study, and seeking to build on these initial interventions, the study calls on the UK Government to:
Adopt a bolder, more localised approach to the Youth Job Guarantee, with a focus on providing secure, purposeful, and accessible employment opportunities
Strengthen the devolution roadmap in England to ensure all places are equipped to tackle the specific barriers to youth employment they face
Boost support during education to improve young people’s transition into work and reduce the risk of disengagement.
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, said:“Youth unemployment is one of the most important challenges facing young people today, and it’s vital that both local and national government address it head on.
“In Liverpool, we’re taking a proactive, evidence-led approach, working with partners including Lancaster University to better understand the barriers young people face when trying to enter the workforce.
“Through our Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Programme, we are testing new and innovative ways to support young people into education, employment and training. This includes tailored mentoring, creative and sports-based programmes, and practical support for employers to help them recruit and retain young people, including those who are care-experienced or have disabilities.
“We’re also investing directly in our young people, committing additional funding to prevent youth unemployment, providing targeted careers support in schools, and creating new roles focused on increasing participation in education and employment.
“This is about making sure every young person in Liverpool has the opportunity, support and confidence to succeed, whatever their starting point.”
Yak Patel, Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions, said: “This research reflects what we are seeing locally in Morecambe, where too many young people feel disconnected from the systems intended to support them. While opportunities for young people remain limited, we also see the strength that exists within communities.”
“Local organisations are often best placed to build trust, understand the realities young people face, and help connect them to meaningful opportunities. But this work requires sustained investment and much stronger coordination with wider services and support systems.
“If we are serious about improving outcomes for young people, we need more joined-up, place-based approaches that put community insight at their heart.”
School learning environments across Scotland will become phone free under measures announced by Education Secretary Màiri McAllan yesterday.
Highlighting the damage phones can cause to pupils’ wellbeing and education, Ms McAllan confirmed forthcoming legislation to restrict their use in all of Scotland’s schools. A consultation will be launched within the new government’s first 100 days, with refreshed guidance published this summer to further encourage schools to bring in their own restrictions in advance of the law change.
A public health campaign will also be developed for young people and their parents, raising awareness of online harms while providing advice on how to stay safe on the internet.
The Scottish Government aims to build on strong foundations, delivering a phased and evidence-based public health approach to tackling online harms, informed by children and young people.
We are helping schools create better environments for learning.
Education Secretary @MairiMcAllan visited James Gillespie’s High School to hear about their phone free policy.
The Education Secretary said: “We will shortly publish a consultation on laws to make our learning environments phone free, meeting our commitment to do so in the first 100 days of this government.
“Legislation is the way for us to mandate phone-free learning, but if head teachers want to take action themselves they do not have to wait, and nor should they.
“While we prepare legislation, we are working with education authorities to refresh the current guidance by the end of June, to support schools to consider their approach from the next term.
“Our schools and learning environments should be safe and nurturing environments for our children and young people, where they can learn free from the distractions of mobile phones.”
In response to the Ministerial Statement on phone-free classrooms made yesterday, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “The strong commitment from the Scottish Government to set clear, consistent limits on mobile phone use in schools as part of a wider public health response to protect children from online harm is a crucial step in tackling the national childhood emergency of our time.
“The proposed guidance for schools must include firm boundaries for working with technology providers, so children’s data is protected and they are never exposed to advertising, addictive design or harmful content.
“Children are experiencing online harm on an unprecedented scale which must be matched by an unprecedented level of leadership and commitment. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to establish an independent online harm reduction unit within the first 100 days of the new Parliament.
“The unit would bring together expertise from across sectors to better understand risk, support parents, carers and professionals and challenge harmful and exploitative practices by tech companies.”
Any parent or carer worried about their child can contact Children First’s support line on 08000 28 22 33 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline for expert practical and emotional support.
Autistic people and their families across Scotland continue to face significant barriers, including long waiting times for diagnosis, a lack of support in schools and low employment rates.
Too often, children are missing out on education or are excluded from the classroom, while many people are left without support until they reach crisis point.
We and others have long campaigned for the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill – a Bill which the SNP committed to as far back as 2021. This would provide an opportunity to address the challenges facing autistic people and deliver real change.
Legally binding national and local strategies would improve support and accountability, while mandatory training across public services such as health, education and criminal justice would ensure autistic people’s needs are recognised and supported earlier.
Years of consultation have shaped these proposals, with many in the autistic community sharing difficult and traumatic experiences in the hope of having their voices heard.
As part of the Act Now for Autistic Rights campaign, our charity has launched a petition urging the First Minister, John Swinney, to include the LDAN Bill in September’s Programme for Government, which will set out the Scottish Government’s key priorities and legislative programme for the coming year.
In the lead up to the recent election in Scotland, more than 5,500 letters were sent by supporters urging party leaders to commit to this legislation. This momentum must now be matched with action. Without a clear commitment from the First Minister, autistic people risk being left behind.
Rob Holland, Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Our campaign had a fantastic response during the election period. Thousands of letters were sent urging all parties to commit to the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, demonstrating a significant level of support for legislation long overdue in helping secure the rights of autistic people and their families.
The importance of the LDAN Bill in tackling the inequalities faced by autistic people and their families cannot be underestimated and this legislation is a vital opportunity to improve outcomes and recognise the rights of some of our most marginalised communities.
“With the election behind us and attention now turning to the first Programme for Government, we need everyone who wants to see urgent change to sign our petition and ensure this vital piece of legislation is introduced as early as possible in the new term.”
Becca, NAS Scotland Campaigner, said: “The LDAN bill is vital for the wellbeing, safety and equality of autistic and neurodivergent people in Scotland.
“Access must be granted, training must be given and voices must be heard to ensure that autistic and neurodivergent people have equal access and opportunity as anybody else.
“The LDAN bill must be included in the Programme for Government to ensure this change happens and lives are improved.
“As an autistic person, it is a struggle to ensure my voice is heard and my opinions are taken into account, so by committing to the inclusion of the LDAN Bill in the Programme for Government, I matter.
“My voice and many others across the country matter.“
You can call on the First Minister to Act Now for Autistic Rights by signing the petition here.
Schools Construction Skills Taster Event at Edinburgh Castle.
School pupils from across Edinburgh swapped their classroom for the Castle this week to try their hand at construction and traditional skills through a Build Your Future event.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), in partnership with Scottish Traditional Building Forum and The City of Edinburgh Council, held the event for nearly 100 pupils on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 May.
The two-day skills taster event is designed to inspire the next generation of craftspeople, construction professionals, and heritage specialists by giving young people the chance to try a range of practical skills.
Across the two days, pupils rotated through five interactive skills stations with demonstrations and mini masterclasses delivered by industry specialists.
Activities include roof slating, stonemasonry, painting and graining, timber joinery, and technology in construction such as thermal insulation – showcasing both traditional craft skills and modern construction techniques, and demonstrating how they work together to maintain, repair and future-proof Scotland’s historic buildings.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), who first supported the inaugural Build Your Future skills demonstration at Edinburgh Castle in 2012, returned this year to lead the roof‑slating activities and share their expertise with pupils. There was also insight from industry body Women in Property who were able to share experience and advice with pupils.
HES craftspeople led behind‑the‑scenes tours of Edinburgh Castle, giving pupils rare and unique insight into the conservation and construction work required to care for a world‑famous heritage site.
Schools Construction Skills Taster Event at Edinburgh Castle.
Colin Tennant, Interim Director of Cultural Assets at HES, said: “Seeing young people get hands‑on with these skills is a fantastic reminder of why this work matters. Scotland’s historic environment depends on a strong pipeline of traditional and emerging skills, and inspiring young people to see the opportunities available to them in the sector is essential.
“At HES, we’re committed to playing a leading role in tackling the skills gap – investing in training, supporting innovative programmes like Build Your Future, and working closely with partners across education, industry and local authorities. But we cannot do this alone. Transforming Scotland’s skills landscape needs sustained support and collective effort. With continued engagement across the sector and beyond, we can build the skilled workforce Scotland needs now and for the future.”
Construction apprenticeships currently see a significant drop‑out rate, with just over half of apprentices completing their training each year. Partners believe this is often due to young people entering apprenticeships without a clear understanding of the wide range of roles available.
Build Your Future aims to change this by giving pupils early, practical experience and helping them choose the right pathway from the outset.
Schools Construction Skills Taster Event at Edinburgh Castle.
Joann Russell, Chair, Scottish Traditional Building Forum, said: “We are delighted to return to Edinburgh Castle to deliver a Build Your Future event. This model of school engagement started at Edinburgh Castle in 2012 and has evolved significantly with the feedback from education and industry.
“It is a young person focussed approach to promote the many and varied careers in construction to provide young people with insights to help them in their career choices. This has been done with numerous stakeholders across construction and we look forward to continuing to work with them for the mutual long-term aims of addressing the skills gap in construction.”
This week’s event at Edinburgh Castle, delivered in partnership between Scottish Traditional Building Forum, The City of Edinburgh Council and HES, builds on the success of a wider National 5 pilot programme.
The pilot programme embeds teaching of construction and traditional skills directly into the school timetable to create a clear pathway towards a National 5 qualification and beyond. The pilot, running across several schools in the city, has supported young people to gain early experience in heritage and construction careers, with several pupils progressing into apprenticeships.
Schools Construction Skills Taster Event at Edinburgh Castle.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This event has been a great opportunity for young people to explore and try out a range of specialist and practical skills, all under the supervision of industry experts. Against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, school pupils were given a glimpse into the craftsmanship involved in conserving such a historic landmark too.
“In Edinburgh, we’re focused on improving outcomes for all learners and our innovative pathways work offers tailored routes for all young people – whether further education, an apprenticeship or the world of work.
By partnering with organisations like Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Traditional Building Forum we want to inspire young people interested in a career in construction or conservation by showing them all that’s on offer.”
More information on traditional skills and training can be found on the HES website. Employers and schools interested in opportunities to participate can contact the team at skills@hes.scot
Cruden tackles construction skills gap with hands-on schools programme
Leading 5-star housebuilder, Cruden has developed a new schools initiative in East Lothian, aimed at tackling the construction skills shortage, with pupils at Knox Academy taking part in hands-on sessions designed to bring careers in the industry to life.
Delivered as part of a community benefit activity linked to Cruden’s Herdmanflat development in Haddington for East Lothian Council and Hub South East, the Employability Strengthening Programme (ESP) focuses on building practical skills, boosting confidence and highlighting clear routes into employment.
with pupils at Knox Academy taking part in hands-on sessions designed to bring careers in the industry to life.
Delivered as part of a community benefit activity linked to Cruden’s Herdmanflat development in Haddington for East Lothian Council and Hub South East, the Employability Strengthening Programme (ESP) focuses on building practical skills, boosting confidence and highlighting clear routes into employment.
In Scotland, around a quarter of the construction workforce is aged 50 or over, highlighting a growing succession challenge. Across the UK, more than 225,000 additional workers will be needed by the middle of the decade, with employers continuing to report skills shortages. Initiatives such as ESP aim to engage young people and help build a more sustainable pipeline of talent.
The first session, held in February, introduced pupils to careers in construction, alongside practical employability advice and guidance. Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and East Lothian Works also attended, providing insight into further training opportunities and Construction Level 4 and 5 courses.
A second session in March took a more practical approach, with pupils completing a STEM-based measurement activity, replicating a real-world quantity surveying task, giving them insight into the skills used on live construction projects.
Additional sessions included CV and interview advice, as well as a ‘meet the experts’ event, allowing pupils to engage directly with industry professionals.
Elaine Gorman, DYW School Coordinator at Knox Academy, said the sessions generated strong engagement from pupils and helped raise aspirations around careers in construction. She said: “The pupils responded enthusiastically and engaged well with all sessions, particularly the quantity surveying tasks.
“It gave them a real sense of achievement while bringing construction careers to life in a very practical way.”
Michael Palethorpe, Community Benefit Manager at Cruden, says: “There is a real need to inspire the next generation into construction and that starts in the classroom.
“Through our Employability Strengthening Programme, we’re giving young people practical, real-world insight into the industry, showing them the opportunities available and building their confidence to take that next step.”
The programme forms part of a wider series of four sessions, designed to support pupils in understanding career options, developing employability skills and connecting with further education opportunities.
Cruden continues to roll out the programme across its developments, in partnership with schools, local authorities and employability organisations to support young people into long-term careers in construction.
Children at Bright Horizons Cramond Early Learning and Childcare are enjoying weekly visits to the nearby beach and woodland areas, supporting learning through exploration, conversation and shared experiences outdoors.
The visits give children time to explore their surroundings at their own gentle pace, encouraging curiosity and helping them build confidence beyond the nursery environment. Experiences from their adventures are then revisited back at nursery through discussion, further exploration and play.
The approach comes amid growing national discussion about screen use in the early years. Recent UK research reported by Nursery World has highlighted the increasing role screens play in very young children’s daily routines, prompting renewed focus across the sector on real-world, hands-on experiences.
Yvonne, Nursery Manager at Bright Horizons Cramond, said: “Exploring the local area together supports children’s sense of belonging and helps them make sense of the world around them.
“When they return from visits to the beach and forest, they collect natural materials such as shells, leaves and pinecones, alongside ideas and questions to talk through back at nursery.
“This reflects our Nurture Approach, where emotional wellbeing, strong relationships and shared reflection are at the heart of how children learn.”
Practitioners use children’s observations and conversations from these outings to shape learning back at nursery, supporting communication skills, emotional wellbeing and meaningful connections with the world around them.
By prioritising outdoor exploration, time for talk and shared reflection, the nursery aims to offer young children rich learning experiences rooted in relationships and real environments, rather than digital distractions.
Bright Horizons Cramond Early Learning and Childcare is holding an Open Day on 13 June, giving families the opportunity to visit the setting, meet the team and find out more about early education and childcare.
Registrations are now being taken for 2027. Further details are available via the Bright Horizons website.
Ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the British Council has joined forces with children’s charity Youth Sport Trust to produce a new classroom resource pack for schools.
Designed to support learning and activities for young people, the pack celebrates the return of the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow this summer from 23 July – 2 August and the work of the Commonwealth to improve the lives of its citizens.
The resource forms part of the Glasgow 2026 Schools Programme and is inspired by All In – the nationwide call to action for this year’s Games, inviting communities to celebrate the Games in their own ‘altogether brilliant’ way.
The pack was launched yesterday at St John Paul II School in Castlemilk, Glasgow, where teacher and former Glasgow 2014 ceremony cast member, Jacqueline Hart and her pupils were visited by gymnast Cameron Lynn who, following his appearance at Birmingham 2022, is aiming to represent his country again at Glasgow 2026; and Glasgow 2026’s official mascot Finnie, the sport-loving unicorn.
Featuring a series of interactive learning activities and materials, teachers can use the resource pack to raise awareness of the Commonwealth and its values and help young people feel connected to the Games, their local community, country and the wider Commonwealth.
Schools can find out more and download the pack here.
Pupils will be introduced to the Games’ values of Humanity, Destiny and Equality through sessions exploring connection, fairness and inclusion. This echoes the British Council’s work building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and English language.
Designed for pupils aged between 7 and 11, the activities in the pack are flexible and adaptable. Teachers can use them as starting points for individual lessons or to form part of a larger cross-curricular project with a partner school overseas.
The British Council is also inviting any schools wishing to participate with an overseas partner to use their PartnerFinder database free of charge, to search for like-minded schools around the world.
The classroom resource builds on the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, which supports young people in the UK and around the world to build the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to respond to global challenges and develop international understanding.
Glasgow 2026 is set to be ‘the most inclusive, community-driven and connected Commonwealth Games yet’, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in an 11-day programme of 10 sports and six Para sports across four iconic venues.
Beyond its credentials as a major historical sporting event, The Commonwealth Games is also a chance for people from around the world to come together, celebrate their cultures and learn from each other.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said:‘The Commonwealth Games 2026 is not just a sporting event, it is a chance for people from around the world to come together, celebrate their cultures and learn from each other.
“This classroom resource pack will enable children and young people to connect internationally on critical themes, such as equality and fairness, and celebrate the Game’s focus on inclusion and sustainability.
“While we proudly shine a light on Glasgow and Scotland as this year’s hosts, the pack is available for all and we hope that teachers and pupils across the whole of the UK will benefit from the resources available.’
Emily Reynolds, Director, Youth Sport Trust, added:‘The Youth Sport Trust are delighted to be working in partnership with the British Council and Glasgow 2026 to bring this engaging resource to schools and teachers.
“The Commonwealth Games offer a powerful opportunity to connect young people to Glasgow, the values that unite the Commonwealth, and the wide range of sports that make the Games so special.
“Multi-sport events like the Commonwealth Games can inspire children and young people of all backgrounds, helping them to discover new sports, develop curiosity, and build a lifelong relationship with physical activity.
“This resource is designed to support teachers to bring that inspiration into the classroom and empower young people to learn through sport.’
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow 2026, said:“‘The Glasgow 2026 Schools Programme is helping to bring the Games to life in classrooms across Glasgow and Scotland, ensuring that young people feel genuinely connected to what these Games represent. It’s vital that young people across the country see themselves reflected in Glasgow 2026, and this programme plays a key role in making that happen.
“Developed with the support of partners including the British Council and the Youth Sport Trust, the programme gives pupils the opportunity to explore the cultures that make up the Commonwealth, increase participation in sport and develop positive, healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
“The resources have been carefully designed to be inclusive and adaptable for all learners and educational settings, while reflecting the vision and values at the heart of these Games.
“With Glasgow 2026 set to deliver the largest-ever Para sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history, it’s especially powerful to see that same ambition and commitment to inclusion championed through the Schools Programme.’
