Young people across Scotland studying for Senior Phase qualifications will have access to free online Easter Study Support.
The webinars provided by e-Sgoil are delivered by secondary teachers covering multiple subjects over National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.
Registration for the extensive programme of webinars is now open, with sessions scheduled to run throughout the week beginning 6 April.
The Easter programme, now in its fifth year, has been developed as part of the Scottish Government-funded National e-Learning offer and continues to grow in both reach and impact.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, said: “I welcome the continued success of e‑Sgoil’s Easter Study Support programme, and I’m pleased the Scottish Government has been able to continue to support the provision of high‑quality revision opportunities for senior phase pupils at a crucial point in the school year.
“Last year’s participation and overwhelmingly positive feedback show the real value of this national offer in building confidence and reducing anxiety ahead of exams. The programme reaches young people in every local authority and strengthens the wider support available in Scotland’s schools.”
Last year 4,287 registered for a total of 18,100 webinar places, representing an increase of 689 learners on the previous year.
Commenting, e-Sgoil Study Support Programme lead Rhona Johnstone added: “We are delighted to offer the Easter Study Support programme to Senior Phase learners across Scotland yet again this session and pleased to see the programme reaching more learners year on year.
“The evidence of the impact that both the Easter and Evening Study Support programmes has on the learners ahead of assessments and exams can be seen in the feedback received from those who have participated in previous years.”
Clear progress is being made across all 20 actions set out in out in a national plan aimed at improving relationships and behaviour in schools, according to a newly-published report.
The second annual progress report on the joint action plan details the work undertaken in the last 12 months to address areas including guidance on consequences and on risk assessments for schools.
Updated Scottish Government guidance has also been published on attendance, along with new guidance on substance use, now covering vapes, and on a whole school approach to tackling racism. These were among the recommendations of the 2024-27 blueprint to improve relationships and behaviour in schools.
Work is also ongoing on to provide future guidance in other areas, including the recording and monitoring of violent incidents.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Scotland’s schools should be safe and consistent learning environments for everyone and clearly the vast majority of children and young people behave well.
“However, we know there has been an impact on behaviour as a result of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. So I am heartened to see the clear progress being made to implement the measures set out in the action plan to address this.
“The challenges of the post-COVID-19 generation of young people is reflected in the updated guidance on attendance to deal with the use of part-time timetables, long-term, persistent absence, as well as young people who are in school but absent from classes.
“Vaping has also been identified as an emerging trend among some young people at school, so the new guidance on substance use will allow local authorities and Head Teachers to develop or update local policies to deal with this. Taken together this newly-published package of guidance addresses all the all emerging patterns of behaviour identified in our Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research.
“The action we are taking will help ensure that teachers and schools can deal with issues in ways that are appropriate and also respond to the needs of each individual child.”
Delivering better experiences for learners, teachers and practitioners to thrive
A rapid review of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) has set out recommendations to ensure young people’s evolving needs continue to be met across Scotland.
Professional Education Advisor Janie McManus’ expert review of ASL said that clearer expectations, stronger pathways to support across education, health and social care, and early interventions should underpin the next steps in delivering Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision in schools.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth welcomed publication of the review outcomes and accepted the recommendations in a speech to practitioners – the first in a series of national events on ASL convened by the Scottish Government.
In her address, Ms Gilruth also confirmed that an app to streamline administrative tasks and free up teachers’ time to focus on pupil needs would be rolled out more widely later this year, backed by £700,000 government funding, subject to the success of ongoing pilots in six council areas.
Ms Gilruth said: “I am grateful to MSPs from across Parliament for their constructive engagement on the additional support needs review. I am also thankful to Janie McManus for leading this short, sharp review into ASN, with clear recommendations for the next Scottish Government to address.
“The pandemic was an undoubtedly challenging time for schools, but none more so than for our additional support needs pupils. It is with the needs of those young people in mind, that we have come together to work collegiately to drive the improvement we all want to see in Scotland’s inclusive schools.
“Across the country our teachers and school staff display extraordinary commitment working with pupils with ASN to provide a nurturing, supportive environment. Through our investment in the CivTech programme, we are seeing how technology can be harnessed to cut the time spent on paperwork and free up valuable time for teaching and learning, helping ensure teachers and school staff have the time to focus on what matters most – their pupils.”
COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Cllr Tony Buchanan said: “We welcome the final progress report on the Additional Support for Learning Action Plan.
“Six years after Angela Morgan’s review, progress has been made, though more remains to do. We now better understand the needs of children and young people, supported by new tools and stronger partnerships.
“Local and Scottish Government must continue working together with a shared vision that enables local and individualised approaches. We note Janie McManus’s report and will consider it jointly with Scottish Government.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “While we welcome the outcomes of the expert review on additional support for learning (ASL), including the call for timely access to specialist services across education, health and social care, and early intervention, there needs to be adequate resourcing in place to turn this vision into a reality.
“Across the last decade, spending per pupil on ASL has declined by almost a third, and there have been cuts in the like of specialist ASN teacher numbers, which have been slashed by 240 over the same time period. We are facing a lost generation of vulnerable children and young people who are not getting the care and support they so vitally need.
“We would urge the Scottish Government to prioritise the windfall that will come from proposed increased spending on those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in English schools, on those Scottish pupils with ASN.
“With more than two out of five pupils identified with additional support needs, and the Scottish Parliamentary elections forthcoming, we would additionally urge the political parties to concentrate on this issue as they draft their manifestoes and for the public to focus on what these parties intend to do if voted into office.”
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year, pupils across Scotland are forming friendships with Ukrainian classmates through the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme.
Pupils at Elgin Academy in Moray and Papa Westray primary school in Orkney are among 130 schools from across the UK and Ukraine taking part in the British Council initiative, funded by the UK Government, which connects schools through shared reading, creative projects and regular online exchanges designed to build empathy, resilience and global awareness.
At Elgin Academy, the S2 class of 29 pupils, aged 13–14, is now collaborating with a school in the Poltava region. The partnership has special significance at Elgin, located near RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland’s largest RAF base where many pupils come from military families.
The classes have exchanged letters, researched Remembrance Day traditions in both countries, created giant sunflowers with messages, and in January, introduced their Ukrainian friends to Robert Burns.
The class voted to share the novel “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds, only later realising the main character loves sunflower seeds, Ukraine’s national symbol. The partnership has been particularly meaningful for two Ukrainian pupils in the class, who have enjoyed speaking their own language with the Ukrainian students during video calls.
School librarian Shelagh Toonen applied for the programme following a conversation at the Edinburgh Book Festival, when a Ukrainian pupil spoke about family losses during the war.
She said: “From that experience, I thought we could probably do an awful lot more. When I saw the opportunity through the British Council, I thought it would be a great way to develop a working relationship with Ukraine and share our love of reading.”
Shelagh travelled to Poland last September to meet partner teacher Katia.
She explained: “When I met Katia, I realised they don’t have a library the way that we do.She was nearly in tears when she saw that I was gifting her some books, they have to rely on sponsors to buy books for them at the moment.”
Image: (Pupils from Elgin Academy S2 class working with their chosen book ‘Ghost’ for their Ukraine school partnership)
The video sessions have been tempered with difficulties including air raid sirens and power cuts, moments that have brought the reality of war into the Elgin classroom. Shelagh explained that their partner school is on the front line, operating under a “three bells warning” system – when sirens sound, pupils must move to shelter for online learning.
“Our pupils have definitely developed a lot of empathy throughout the project,” Shelagh said. “They’ve had a kind of gradual awakening and have come to realise what a privilege coming into school every day is.”
Neil Johnson, Head Teacher at Elgin Academy added: “In Scotland, young people’s exposure to current affairs now is very limited, and the conflict has been going on for so long that for many of them, it’s just background noise.
“This partnership makes it real and gives it a focus for our pupils.”
On Papa Westray, one of Orkney’s most remote islands and Scotland’s smallest school in the programme, Head Teacher Tim Ross leads weekly Friday morning video calls between his six pupils, aged 6–8, and eight children at Voinivskyi Lyceum in Ukraine.
The programme comes at a meaningful time for the Papay school, which after welcoming another family late last year, currently has two Ukrainian families within the school community. For them, learning about the partnership was a welcome surprise.
Tim said: “It’s been lovely to tell them about the close link we now have with the Ukrainian school. You could see their faces light up when I mentioned the project, and it demonstrates our support and interest in their experience and background.
“The children in the school have already developed a strong, supportive kindness toward Ukraine because of their friends at the school.” He said, “Even at this young age, they recognise that we’ve got friends here who’ve had to leave their home because of the war.”
Tim Ross (R), Head teacher at Papa Westray Primary School, meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Svitlana from their Ukrainian partner school during their meeting in Poland, in 2025
As part of the partnership, Tim has invited one of the Ukrainian parents to teach the whole class some basic Ukrainian phrases, using an approach that links to their daily phonics learning. He said: “It’s a great exercise for the children in experiencing another culture, listening, and sharing language, it’s also been a great way to connect the programme to our wider community.”
“The calls work best when we’re sharing fun visual learning and finding out about our shared experiences and interests,” Tim said.
“We’re proud of our friendship with Ukraine. This whole programme is about being supportive, none of these children are at fault for what’s happening, and we want to give them something positive to look forward to each week.”
Power cuts on Papa Westray can knock out electricity for six hours at a time, giving the island community an unexpected understanding of the disruptions faced by their Ukrainian partners.
Tim said: “We’ve had to miss some planned activities because of the difficulties they’re facing in Ukraine with power cuts, and the air raids. It really brings home the challenges they’re dealing with.
“But what’s been amazing is how energised both classes are about the Friday sessions. I think this regular connection has become as important for the class in Ukraine as it has for ours.”
The school has matching sets of picture books from Scotland’s Read Write Count with the First Minister scheme, which Tim gifted to the Ukrainian school during his training trip to Poland. Each week, both classes pick a book, read it in their own classrooms, and share creative activities on their video call.
Since January 2025, the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme has involved 130 schools across the UK and Ukraine, supporting approximately 23,400 young people. It is now expanding to reach a further 300 schools, with an estimated 54,000 pupils expected to benefit.
Speaking about the programme, Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland said: “With the conflict in Ukraine now entering its fifth year, this programme has helped build something very important, lasting connections between young people in Scotland and Ukraine, grounded in shared stories and friendship.
“These partnerships are a wonderful example of what the programme is all about, and the children are discovering that despite the distance and the challenges, they have far more in common than they might have imagined.
“Applications for the next round of the programme are now open, and I’d encourage schools across Scotland to get involved; it’s a meaningful opportunity to build international connections that will stay with young people for the rest of their lives.”
Schools and teachers interested in joining the programme can apply before the deadline on 2 March. To find out more, please visit:
Heriot-Watt University has appointed Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas as its next Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Hewitt-Dundas joins Heriot-Watt from Queen’s University Belfast, where she serves as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Transnational Education) and Professor of Innovation Management and Policy. She is also an internationally recognised academic in innovation and science policy and currently serves as a non-executive Board member of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Professor Hewitt-Dundas will join the University on 1 September 2026, with Professor Richard A. Williams remaining in post as Principal and Vice-Chancellor until the end of September ensuring a smooth and effective transition.
Bruce Pritchard, Chair of Court at Heriot-Watt University, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Professor Hewitt-Dundas to the Heriot-Watt community. She is joining at an exciting time, as we embark on the realisation of Strategy 2035.
“Nola brings the vision, drive and leadership experience needed to lead Heriot-Watt into this next chapter. Her academic credentials, a strong alignment with our University’s values and a track record of delivering transformational change programmes makes her a perfect fit to lead the organisation in the coming years.
“We look forward to working with Professor Hewitt-Dundas to inspire and engage our staff, students, alumni and partners, and to shape a bold, sustainable and globally connected future for the University. I would also like once again to thank and pay tribute to Professor Richard Williams, who is leaving us at the end of September after a very successful 11 years in the role.”
Commenting on her appointment, Professor Hewitt-Dundas said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the next Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. Heriot-Watt is a distinctive global university, renowned for its excellence in science, engineering and business, its strong industry connections, and its international reach.
“I look forward to engaging with colleagues across the University’s campuses to support our staff and students, deliver Strategy 2035, and build a sustainable and successful future together.”
Heriot-Watt University is a global institution with campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, as well as a growing cohort of online learners.
The University is internationally recognised for its industry-focused education, research excellence, and real-world impact across science, engineering, business and the built environment.
Professor Hewitt-Dundas was appointed following a highly competitive international search. She brings extensive experience in senior university leadership, global engagement, governance, innovation and research.
She will be the first woman to serve as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, marking a significant milestone as the University celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Royal Charter.
Local nursery children in Edinburgh were treated to a special visit from Road Safety Scotland character Ziggy this week, to remind them of the importance of staying safe on our roads.
Ziggy visited children at three local nurseries; Pentland Nursery, Wester Coates Nursery School and Little Learners Nursery.
The visits were part of a road safety tour of Early Learning & Childcare Centres (ELCs) designed to equip young children with skills, knowledge and attitudes to help keep them safe on our roads now and later in life.
Together with Ziggy – an alien visiting Earth to learn about road safety – children enjoyed an interactive performance which brings to life road safety messages combining song, role play and crafts.
Multiple immersive learning activity stations, including card games, tested children on their understanding of road safety symbols, noises they’d hear on the roads, and steps to take to cross the road safely. A playmat featuring a town-scape including traffic lights and a zebra crossing also reinforced road safety skills through imaginative play.
Alison Hawkins, Head at Wester Coates Nursery school, said: “The children were very delighted to welcome Ziggy to Wester Coates Nursery School.
“Visits such as these reinforce our own road safety programme, strengthening the important road safety messages we teach and practice. Having fun with Ziggy was a great reminder about safety.”
Debbie Nicol, Assistant Director, Road Safety Scotland, said: “It is important that children are immersed in positive road safety attitudes from a young age, both in the classroom and at home, and we know that early experiences shape children’s future behaviour.
“Ziggy is a fun character with an important message and visits like these help create lasting memories about road safety.”
The Ziggy tour will include visits to Early Learning & Childcare Centres across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Dundee and Renfrewshire.
Written by children’s author Lynda Kennedy and illustrated by Lynn Taylor, the Go Safe with Ziggy books are a free resource available to all Early Learning and Childcare centres and Primary 1 classes in Scotland, and parents, carers and teachers have access to online resources and activity ideas. The Ziggy series is also available in Scots and Gaelic.
Books can be ordered for free on roadsafety.scot/ziggy-order.
For more information about Go Safe with Ziggy, visitroadsafety.scot/ziggy-online.
Details are also available on Road Safety Scotland’s social media channels: Facebook @roadsafetyscotland and X @RoadSafetyScot.
Endowed Chair of Rheumatology retires from University of Edinburgh
Professor Stuart Ralston retired from his position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Edinburgh and a Festschrift event was held in his honour (January 29).
Professor Ralston has had a decorated career in rheumatology, including holding the position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair for over 20 years. His research focused on the management of bone and joint disease, with a special interest in Paget’s disease.
Professor Ralston’s research has benefitted patients and influenced policy. His medical education contributions have benefitted students globally and his contribution to medicines regulation has saved many lives, notably through his oversight of emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines as chair of the Commission on Human Medicines.
He was recently (December 2025) duly recognised for these contributions by being awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh Sir James Black Medal.
Professor Ralston said: “A highlight of my career has been the work in Paget’s disease of the bone, looking at the genetic basis of the condition and doing clinical trials to establish optimal treatment strategies.
“I’ve also enjoyed bringing in new people and seeing them make their own way over the years. It’s been a privilege. I have been lucky to reach the top of my profession.
“While I will be sad to leave, I have still got some outstanding projects to finish off during my retirement and am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family and friends.”
To commemorate his achievements Professor Ralston attended a Festschrift event, where his closest colleagues and collaborators gathered to share warm remarks and celebrate his contributions to the field.
Arthritis UK’s Head of Research Strategy, Sarah Rudkin, attended the event and said: “Professor Ralston has led the field on the molecular and genetic basis of osteoporosis and Paget’s disease for the benefit of people living with these conditions.
“We greatly value his long-standing relationship with Arthritis UK and the varied contributions that he has made to the work of the charity. It’s been a privilege to support him throughout his professional endeavours, and we wish him a joyful retirement.”
Professor Cosimo de Bari, specialist in osteoarthritis and stem cell therapies, has been appointed the new Arthritis UK Endowed Chair of Rheumatology.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Arthritis UK Chief Executive, said: “The position of Endowed Chair at Edinburgh was established to create a nucleus for rheumatology research.
“Professor Ralston’s work has been a testament to our joint commitment to expanding knowledge, improving practice and bettering the lives of those who live who live with these often-debilitating conditions.
“It has been an honour to endorse his successes from his pivotal research developments and clinical trials to his PhD mentorships. He has truly been instrumental in defining the contemporary landscape of rheumatology.
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to this prestigious position and are eager to support him as we journey together towards a cure.”
Professor David Argyle, Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, said: “Established nearly 50 years ago, the Endowed Chair recognises the University’s long-standing excellence in the field of rheumatology.
“Professor Ralston has been central to this endeavour, advancing research to improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“As we celebrate his achievements and bid him a congratulatory farewell, we are equally thrilled to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to the position, and look forward to continuing our valued partnership with Arthritis UK to champion innovative research.”
ASH Scotland is urging high school teachers and youth workers in Edinburgh to use the health charity’s updated resource packs to inspire young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health by not taking up smoking or vaping.
The Tobacco-free School and Youth packs, which each feature 30 engaging activities that can be used in lessons and group sessions, are being published by the health charity as the major public health issues of youth smoking and vaping are causing ongoing concern for teachers, parents and people working with children.
The packs provide facts and statistics covering a range of topics such as ‘Smoking and mental health’, ‘Smoking, vaping and peer pressure’, ‘Being confidently nicotine-free’ and features new exercises on nicotine pouches to support the delivery of personal and social education classes or for youth group activities across various subjects.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “As concerned teachers and youth workers across Scotland regularly contact us for information about tobacco and nicotine products such as vapes and pouches, we have produced updated resource packs with robust, evidence-based content to engage and empower young people in Edinburgh to make informed decisions about protecting their health and wellbeing.
“Our Tobacco-free School and Youth packs are especially designed to be effective learning aids to facilitate classwork and activities to help equip children to increase their knowledge about the health risks associated with smoking, vaping and using nicotine pouches.”
Edinburgh College is all set to welcome prospective new students considering starting a course in August 2026 to its annual Open Days event.
The event starts on the 3rd of February and runs until the 7th across all four of our campuses, offering an opportunity to meet our curriculum teams, learn more about the subjects that are available, tour our impressive facilities, as well as find out details about the application process and how funding works.
Open Days begins at the Midlothian Campus on Tuesday the 3rd of February, running from 4pm until 7pm, followed by Milton Road on the 4th of February from 4pm to 7pm, Sighthill on the 5th from 4pm to 7pm, and finally Granton on the 7th of February, between 10am and 1pm.
Members of staff will be on hand to answer any questions, and to help to guide you around our campuses.
There will be subject-specific sessions on offer for a limited number of subject areas, which can be booked online.
The event gives prospective students a unique opportunity to experience our campuses first-hand, and get an idea of what life at Edinburgh College can look like. There are a wide variety of subjects to consider, with our various Schools teaching everything from Construction to Cookery, and Acting & Performance to Accounting.
There are courses available that cater to students at any point in their education, including beginner-level courses, pathways to university, and continuous development courses. Learners at any stage of their career or journey in education will be able to learn what their future could hold at Edinburgh College by coming along to our Open Days.
Edinburgh College’s Principal, Audrey Cumberford, says it’s an exciting time for the College, and any prospective new students: “It’s always amazing being able to open our campuses every February to welcome so many people who are considering taking their next step at Edinburgh College.
“Our Open Days represent a perfect opportunity for anyone considering furthering their education to find out what’s on offer here at the College, to explore all of our facilities, and learn what support will be available to them.
“I can’t recommend enough coming along to our events if you’re curious about what Edinburgh College can do for you and your future.”
Attendees can drop in or book a place on subject-specific sessions.
For more information and to book a place at one of the open days, visit the Edinburgh College website.
