Tag: schools

A new school term with new challenges and opportunities

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Cllr James Dalgleish reflects on the start of both SQA exams and the Summer term for schools:

This week saw a return to the school routine after the Easter break for learners, teachers and school staff across the city. With the weather promising the start of Spring I know that, mirroring the shift in seasons, for many young people this time of year marks a transition from school to what comes next.

The annual SQA National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams started this week, running until 1 June. For many learners, particularly those taking SQA Awards and Skills for Work vocational subjects, assessments have already taken place throughout the academic year.

I have been pleased to see the shift from academic achievement as the sole means to measure attainment in recent years. We are focused on improving outcomes for all learners and this includes acknowledging that each of our young people are unique individuals with their own talents, skills, ambitions and aspirations.

For many young people, a timetable of academic subjects followed by formal exams works well but others are better suited to dynamic, hands-on learning – some find that a mix of the two suits them best.

Our award winning and innovative pathways work aims to increase the number of learners in positive destinations after school. We offer unique and tailored routes for all young people – whether university, college, an apprenticeship or the world of work is what’s next.

We work with a range of partners including Edinburgh College and local roofing and construction businesses to deliver National 5 qualifications. Alongside this, we offer courses in business skills, creative and digital media, food and drink, financial services among others – and starting in August, barbering.

It is positive that through our innovative partnership approach, the attainment of school leavers in the national benchmarks have improved across most measures in recent years. The number of vocational National Progression Awards achieved by City of Edinburgh school leavers increased from 1433 in 2023 to 2365 in 2025 – and in 2026, this is expected to rise again.

We are committed to offering the highest quality education that meets the needs of all our learners, narrowing the gap between the most and least disadvantaged young people and breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage.

There is no ‘right’ route for a young person but there is the right support, guidance and opportunity to find a future path that fits.

So, as we all enjoy the sunshine and look ahead to Spring, Summer and beyond – let’s celebrate the start of a new school term and the potential it brings.

Good luck to all young people sitting exams over the next few months. I wish each of you all the best as you look ahead to life beyond school.

This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News

Brunstane Primary School refurbishment complete

Significant refurbishment and retrofit work at Brunstane Primary School is now complete and the school building has been handed over in time for the start of the new school term.

GRAHAM were appointed to deliver a multi-phase transformation project to retrofit the school building. The improvement works adopted a ‘fabric first’ approach – a sustainable building design strategy that maximises the performance of materials and components aiming to reduce energy demand and carbon impact.

Following the works, the school building has achieved the highest EPC rating of A, acknowledging the energy efficiency of the building.

The building works, which started in October 2024, include a three-storey tower and a single-storey block incorporating 14 classrooms and pupil support spaces, as well as a gym hall, kitchen and staff areas.

Supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments, a new energy centre was built on site including an air source heat pump which serves an updated heating system and replaces the existing gas boilers. Photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof along with new insulated cladding on both external walls and roof, with improvements to windows. 

This investment in sustainable measures reduces the environmental impact of the building and offers a healthier and more comfortable learning environment for pupils and staff.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “We want all our schools and early years settings to offer the best possible learning environment for our children and young people.

“Central to this is ongoing investment in our school buildings to ensure that they meet the needs of our learners, offer a comfortable learning and teaching setting and support our net-zero goals.

“It is fantastic to see that the refurbishment works at Brunstane Primary School are complete, just in time for pupils and staff returning after the Easter break.

“The improvements to the building will make a huge difference to how the school building is used by teachers and pupils in the here and now, and for many future generations of young learners in Brunstane.”

Chris MacLeod, regional managing director at GRAHAM Building, said: “The handover of Brunstane Primary School marks the successful completion of a complex retrofit project delivered within a live school environment.

“Pupils and staff can now benefit from a modern, energy-efficient space that supports both learning and wellbeing, while considered sustainability elements will significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

“Throughout the programme, our focus has been on minimising disruption and working collaboratively with the school to ensure a smooth delivery.”

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026 Schools Programme announced 

As Scotland marks the National Year of Reading, the Edinburgh International Book Festival will launch its 2026 Schools Programme (running Monday 24 – Friday 28 August 2026) with a week of author events, creative activity and classroom resources designed to support teachers, school librarians and home educators at the start of the academic year.

The timing is pointed. New research from the National Literacy Trust (published January 2026, based on a survey of 7,739 children and young people aged 8-18 across 61 Scottish schools) reports that 30.3% of children and young people in Scotland say they enjoy reading in their free time, and only 1 in six read daily – a sharp reminder of how much reading cultures need practical, confidence‑building support. 

The 2026 Schools Programme offers multiple routes for participation: schools can visit in person, join selected events via livestream (with on‑demand access afterwards), and draw on a bank of Learning Resources intended for standalone lessons or to expand a Book Festival visit. Digital participation options are explicitly free.  

For in‑person visits, pupils will be able to see writers and illustrators live, take part in event Q&As, and, on Wednesday 26 August and Thursday 27 August, explore the Discovery Zone(drop‑in activities 10:00–14:00, located on Level 2) delivered with partner organisations including Edinburgh Libraries, Super Power Agency, and Kids in Cyber.

Across the programme, the Book Festival’s emphasis is on access: every pupil receives a free book, thanks to the support of Claire and Mark Urquhart, and schools can apply for free tickets for pupils who might otherwise miss out, as well as support from a transport fund. Tickets are priced at £4 per pupil, with one free adult ticket per ten pupil tickets (with flexibility where higher ratios are needed for access reasons).  

Author highlights (2026)

The programme features a wide range of writers and illustrators for primary and secondary years, including Jacqueline Wilson, Paterson Joseph, Patrick Ness, Katherine Rundell, Manjeet Mann, and others across the week, with themed days including a Primary School Gala Day (Wed 26 Aug) and Secondary School Teen Takeover Day (Thu 27 Aug).  

Edinburgh secondary schools can fundraise to feed hungry children

Secondary schools in Edinburgh can fundraise to feed an entire school of hungry children by signing up for a charity’s life-changing Feed A School initiative. 

Mary’s Meals provides meals to more than 3 million children every school day in some of the world’s poorest communities across 16 countries. The promise of a nutritious meal at school attracts these children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. Yet millions of children still miss out on going to school due to hunger.  

Through Feed A School, secondary schools can ensure every pupil at a school in Malawi or Zambia receives a nutritious meal every day for a full school year.

The initiative is a transformative way to give hundreds of vulnerable children hope for a better future. Providing healthy meals for a whole school has a huge impact not only on the children, but also on their families and the wider community. 

Feeding an entire school for a year is more achievable than many realise – with Mary’s Meals, it costs just 10p a day to provide a child with a nutritious school meal. Whether schools choose to fundraise on their own, or join with others in the area, they will develop a real sense of connection to their chosen school and to the children they are helping, with updates from the feeding programme and a final report from the Malawian or Zambian school at the end of the year. 

A school’s support can bring hope to more children like Sean, aged 12, from Mbayani Primary School in Malawi. Hunger is a daily struggle for Sean and his classmates, but with Mary’s Meals, they have a chance at a brighter future.

He says: “Mostly there is no money, and we don’t eat at home, but I know I will get porridge at school. I am happy at school and I want to be a scientist. Porridge will help me take the next steps.” 

Schools that choose to fundraise won’t be doing it alone. Mary’s Meals will be there to support schools throughout their fundraising year – and each participating school will be joining others up and down the country who agree that in this world of plenty, no child should miss school because they are too hungry to learn. 

Every year since 2017, pupils at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School in East Kilbride have organised a five day ‘porridge pledge’ to raise funds to feed all 288 children at Damu Primary School in Malawi for a full school year with Mary’s Meals.

During the pledge, the pupils eat only plain foods, like porridge, rice and toast – sacrificing their favourite foods so their friends at Damu can enjoy school meals for a whole year. In 2025, they surpassed their £5,515.20 target, raising an incredible total of more than £11,000.

Religion Moral Citizenship Education (RMCE) teacher, Jacqueline Nelson, says: “I can honestly say Feed A School with Mary’s Meals is one of the best things that we have ever done in our school.

“Through Feed A School, we live what we teach – we directly help our global brothers and sisters, those who we will never meet yet still love and it allows us to place the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the world first. It’s beautiful. It brings true joy.” 

Claire Benjamin, Director of Supporter Engagement for Mary’s Meals UK, adds: “Choose to Feed A School and you will make a lasting difference to children, their families and their whole communities.

“We serve children in schools of many different sizes, which means Feed A School offers a wide range of fundraising targets to suit every school community. Schools can sign up to Feed A School in Malawi or Zambia today and turn a year of school meals into a lifetime of impact.”  

Find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk/feed-a-school

Edinburgh pupils take part in pioneering sustainability skills showcase at Powering Futures Live

Pupils from across Edinburgh took to the stage at Murrayfield Stadium and Easter Road Stadium this week as they participated in Powering Futures Live – a series of regional showcase events which brought over 2,000 pupils from across the country to some of Scotland’s most iconic venues to present to, and network with, over 300 business leaders working across Scotland’s economy. 

Across the city, 225 pupils from seven schools – St Augustine’s RC High School, Trinity Academy, Balerno Community High School, Liberton High School, Drummond Community High School, Craigmount High School and Portobello High School – have spent the past 30 weeks working in teams to research, develop answers to real world challenges posed by leading Scottish businesses.

They then delivered their work in a presentation to a panel of professionals working in leading businesses across the Lothians, including Aecom, HSBC, PwC and Hitachi Rail, where they presented their innovative solutions.

Powering Futures Live, which was sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland, marks the end of a year-long journey for participants in the Powering Futures Schools Challenge Programme, bringing education and industry together for a series of regional events at Ayr Racecourse, The Crichton, Stirling Court Hotel, Pittodrie Stadium, Ross Country FC, Hampden Park, Easter Road and Murrayfield stadium.

This academic year marked the largest participation in the Powering Futures programme to date, with over 100 schools across the country and around 2,300 pupils taking part for 2025-2026.

Having undertaken their final presentations at Powering Futures Live, all participants are now expected to earn an SCQF Level 6 qualification – equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

The challenges for this year’s cohort were set by leading Scottish industries, reflecting the priorities shaping Scotland’s future economy:

  • Seafood Scotland – ‘Fish-Tales’: Helping Scots to rediscover their local superfood by designing a campaign that reconnects Scottish people with local sustainable seafood 
  • Vital Energi with the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) and HCI Skills Gateway – ‘Hot Stuff’: Design a town for 2,500 new homes that showcases the opportunities that new heating technology offers – creating communities where heating is affordable, efficient and low carbon
  • BAM and Siemens Energy – ‘Watt’s Next?’:  creating a nine-month timeline of experiences and events that redesigns how young people can discover careers in clean energy, and be connected with potential employers
  • SSEN Transmission – ‘Power-Up’: Create a plan for moving the equipment and materials for new electricity infrastructure to a remote environment whilst minimising the impact to local communities and the environment. 

Industry mentors from these organisations worked directly with pupils in the classroom, guiding their research and helping develop creative solutions, directly bridging the gap between education and business and helping employers to engage with the workforce of the future. 

Powering Futures was established in 2020 to empower young people with the skills, critical thinking and confidence to enter the workplace. At its heart is the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, which tasks teams of S5 and S6 pupils with solving a problem set by industry.

The programme supports pupils in developing skills in teamwork, problem-solving and presenting, and culminates with pupils presenting their creative solutions to a panel of industry judges. At the end of the process, participants will gain a SCQF Level 6 qualification, equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

Jennfier Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures said: “We were delighted to have 225 pupils from across Edinburgh attend Powering Futures Live at Murrayfield and Easter Road this week, and we were blown away by the innovation and creativity in their final presentations.

“This has been our biggest cohort of young people taking part in the Powering Futures Challenge programme, and Powering Futures Live marks the pinnacle of their exciting journey. 

“What makes Powering Futures Live so special is the way it brings education and business directly together, giving young people the opportunity to showcase their talent, harness their skills and present the solutions they have collaborated on for the past year. 

“By empowering young people through our pioneering Powering Futures Challenge Programme, we can help them develop the critical skills that employers are looking for in their future workforce as well as establishing those essential links between the businesses of today and the workers of tomorrow who will power Scotland’s future.”

Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland said: “As both a student mentor and challenge setter, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the journey from the classroom to final presentations.

“The commitment and creativity displayed by the students at the live events I have attended has been outstanding, and the quality of solutions presented across all challenges has been incredibly impressive. 

“Every student I’ve encountered on the programme has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, which is inspiring to see.”

Tree-plantings create a living heritage at Cramond

After four years of tree-planting, the “Cramond Commemorates” project culminated on Friday (20 March) with a celebration event for everyone who donated and dedicated a tree.

The project came about as the world emerged from the Covid19 pandemic when so much had been lost. It quickly developed into a commemoration, not only of experiences missed, but also of loved ones who died.

Some 58 trees were planted in four locations: Cramond Hall grounds, Cramond House parkland, Cramond Walled Garden and Cramond Primary School grounds.  

All the plantings have been carefully recorded and mapped, and appear with their individual dedications on a website that showcases the project https://www.cramondcommemorates.com

Rev Ian Gilmour, who came up with the tree planting idea, said: “Dedicating a tree to someone whom you’ve loved and lost can be a means of having a tangible reminder of their presence and a focal point for remembrance. 

“The Cramond Commemorates plantings represent a living heritage of people with a connection to the area or to Cramond Kirk.  

“As well as enhancing the environment and the beauty of the area, these trees are symbols of renewal and a reassurance that life goes on.”

The first tree, a Sessile Oak, was planted in November 2021 by pupils from Cramond Primary and Cargilfield Schools.  Other varieties include Beech, Maple, Silver Birch, Rowan and Sycamore, as well as a number of fruit trees.

John Naylor chose a James Grieve apple tree in memory of his wife Margery who died in 2022. He said:  “Margery was a lover of trees and of Cramond. She was Secretary, then President, of the Cramond Association and a great supporter of the Woodland Group.

“What better way of celebrating and remembering her life well lived.”

Christine Roy dedicated a Wheelers Russet apple tree to her late husband, Jim. She said:  “Jim loved his garden, trees and everything outdoors in nature.

“My sons and I thought it would be a lovely way to remember him. Somewhere that we and the grandchildren could go and see the tree grow over time in a woodland setting. We have planted bulbs around it, and had a little plaque made.”

Lending itself to an obvious choice of memorial tree, the song ‘O Rowan Tree’ was a favourite of Dorothy Spence’s grandmother, a member of Cramond Kirk from 1882 till 1958, now buried in the Kirkyard with her husband and two sons.  

The event was attended by many of the tree donors and organisations involved in supporting the project: Cramond Association’s Woodland Group, Cramond Estate, local poet David Bleiman, Edinburgh Council’s Parks and Greenspaces.

Many of the Cramond Community became involved in clearing and preparing ground for tree plantings. 

When new trees required watering in their early days, local schoolchildren, Cubs and Scouts saved the day by forming bucket chains to areas which hose-pipes could not reach!

Improving behaviour in schools

Ensuring safe environments for pupils and staff

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.”

Second annual progress report on the Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan 2024-27.

Landmark deal for teachers

Scotland’s teachers to benefit from fully-funded classroom hours reduction

Scotland’s teachers will see a reduction in class contact time after a landmark agreement was reached – averting industrial action in schools.

A weekly reduction of 90 minutes will be introduced on a phased basis, with primary school teachers and those working in special schools benefiting from August 2027. Secondary school teachers will follow two years later.

The Scottish Government has committed to meeting the full cost of implementing this agreement, including £40 million in 2026-27 for the recruitment of additional teachers required to deliver the change.

Further funding to support this deal will be provided from 2027-28. An additional recurring investment of £1 million will be made to support rural and island communities that face challenges in recruiting teachers.

The deal was agreed by the Scottish Government and the EIS earlier this week before being ratified by COSLA during a meeting earlier today.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “This is a significant milestone for Scotland’s teaching profession. I am delighted that we have been able to reach a deal that works for teachers, parties in local government and most importantly our children and young people.

“I want to thank the EIS in particular for their constructive engagement and dialogue. This deal shows what can be achieved when we all work together in the interests of children and teachers. 

“Avoiding industrial action was essential – particularly at this critical time when pupils are preparing for their exams. This agreement ensures that any potential disruption to their learning has been averted.

“By giving teachers more protected time, we are taking meaningful action to reduce workload and stress, supporting a healthier, more sustainable teaching profession that will deliver better outcomes for children and young people across Scotland.

“This is a landmark investment in the teaching profession and in the quality of education that every child and young person in Scotland deserves.”

First Minister John Sweeney added: “I am pleased that agreement has been reached with the EIS and COSLA to suspend planned teacher strikes.

“This deal supports teachers, protects learning time for pupils, especially those preparing for exams, and shows what can be achieved through constructive partnership.”

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, commented: “COSLA Leaders met this morning (Friday) to consider the issue of Reduced Class Contact Time (RCCT) and the potential for industrial action by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS).

“Following considerable deliberations among council leaders, COSLA agreed to support the proposed way forward – fully funded by Scottish Government – which we expect will enable the EIS to rescind their notice to strike.

“The joint statement agreed with the Scottish Government and the EIS commits Local Government to developing implementation plans for the introduction of Reduced Class Contact Time of 90 minutes per week. We recognise that concessions have been made on all sides.

“Despite concerns being expressed by councils, in the interests of reaching a constructive way forward and attempting to avert planned strike action, Leaders have agreed to support the joint approach. Throughout implementation, COSLA will always prioritise what is in the best interest of children and young people.

“Further detail will be negotiated through the SNCT.”

The EIS has announced that it is suspending all planned industrial action over teacher workload, following an agreement being reached between the EIS, Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

A draft agreement, approved earlier this week by both the EIS and Scottish Government, was also approved by COSLA leaders at a meeting earlier today.

The draft agreement, as approved by all three sides, will now pass to the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) for formal approval and implementation.

The agreement will deliver the promised 90-minute per week reduction in the maximum class contact time for teachers as a means to tackling excessive teacher workload and to provide more time for teachers to undertake important areas of activity such as the preparation and correction of pupil work.

Commenting today, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “The EIS is extremely pleased that a negotiated outcome, which has been approved by all sides, has now been achieved in this long-running dispute.

“This agreement will have a positive impact on teacher workload and will help to create more jobs for the many newly and recently qualified teachers currently seeking secure employment in schools across Scotland.

“This is a positive outcome for Scottish education, and for teachers and pupils. It will deliver more teachers into our schools, with a positive impact on teacher workload and the creation of an improved learning environment and experience for pupils.”

Ms Bradley added, “It is the collective strength of Scotland’s teachers, working through the EIS, that has delivered this positive outcome.

“We are extremely pleased that both the Scottish Government and COSLA have listened to the very clear message that was sent by EIS members, and have now agreed the way forward on these positive changes for Scottish education.

“This agreement will help to deliver a brighter future for our schools, and for all teachers and pupils across Scotland.”

Institute of Physics launches The Eurekas 2026 for 11–16-year-olds

This year’s competition asks, “How can physics make your home ready for the future?” 

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has today opened entries for The Eurekas 2026, its national physics competition for young people aged 11–16 across the UK and Ireland. 

Now in its fifth year, the competition challenges students to explore this year’s theme: “How can physics make your home ready for the future?”

From cleaner energy and smarter technology to sustainable materials and healthier living spaces, The Eurekas invites 11–16-year-olds to apply physics to the place they know best — home — and imagine how science can shape tomorrow. 

Open to individuals and small groups, the competition encourages creativity and scientific thinking. So, entries can be of any kind of format, including: short videos (up to 90 seconds), written pieces (up to 600 words), artwork, models or design concepts.

All entries must clearly connect to physics and be submitted online by a parent, carer or teacher via the competition website. 

Prizes include a top award of £1,000/€1,200, two runners-up prizes of £500/€600, and additional awards across age categories. Every participant will receive a digital certificate celebrating their achievement. 

Previous years have seen imaginative and inspiring entries exploring physics, including how physics shapes the way different animals perceive the world, how aerodynamics helps bowlers control the movement of a cricket ball, and how physics, music, and ballet show how science and art can work together. 

Sarah Bakewell, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Institute of Physics, said: “Today, young people are already thinking about the future — from how climate change matters to them, to how technology plays a role in their lives. 

“The Institute of Physics’ Eureka competition gives young people the chance to turn those ideas into actual solutions; creative, physics-powered and usually quite brilliant!

“Physics is for everyone – and young people from every background can use science to shape their future. Whether it’s designing smarter homes, improving energy efficiency or reimagining everyday objects that make a difference to how we live, we cannot wait to see how young people can use physics to have their very own Eureka moment!”

The competition is free to enter.

Full details, inspiration from previous submissions and entry guidance can be found at theeurekas.co.uk, with entries submitted via theeurekas.co.uk/submit. 

Entries are now open and the closing date for submissions is Monday, 8 June 2026. 

EIS Formally Issues Industrial Action Notice in Teacher Workload Dispute

The EIS has issued formal 10-day notice of its intention to call its members to take industrial action over workload. 

The industrial action will include national days of strike action, additional days of strike action in key target areas, and an ongoing national programme of Action Short of Strike (ASOS).

The issuing of 10-day notice is a legal requirement, and must be issued before any industrial action can commence. The issuing of notice does not compel the EIS to undertake strike action, but enables it to call its members out should a resolution to the dispute not be achieved within the next 10 days. 

Whilst the EIS recognises the progress in negotiations made in the last 24 hours, following this week’s EIS statutory ballot result, a firm agreement from the Scottish Government and COSLA to work together to deliver past promises on teacher workload and jobs, has not been forthcoming.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “In issuing these formal notices of the intent to commence industrial action, the EIS is complying with the legal requirement to give notice of such action.

“This allows us to keep our options open, within the confines of current trade union law, and retain the option to call on our members to take industrial action, should it be required to ensure a resolution to this long-running dispute.

“Some progress has been made in the past 24 hours but so far, we have nothing in writing to reflect the commitment of the Scottish Government and COSLA to deliver on past promises.”

Ms Bradley continued, “The EIS remains fully committed to seeking a negotiated solution to this dispute, and will remain available in the coming days and before the closing of this 10-day window for meaningful discussion with the Scottish Government and local authority employers, through COSLA.

“We would urge those other parties to use this window wisely, and to move swiftly to ensure that an agreement can be reached to end this dispute, in the best interests of learners and teachers across Scotland.”

Ms Bradley added, “What we need to see from the Scottish Government and COSLA is surety over what they are offering to teachers. “After five years of waiting, and more than a year in dispute, Scotland’s teachers and the EIS will expect to see a firm and binding commitment, in writing and signed by all parties, before we are willing to remove the prospect of industrial action being undertaken in Scotland’s schools.”

Further information on the specific planned dates for industrial action will be issued next week. 

Responding to the EIS announcement that the teachers’ union has received a mandate for industrial action over teacher workload, Cllr Ricky Bell, COSLA Resources Spokesperson said: “COSLA notes the outcome of the EIS ballot for industrial action about reducing the weekly time teachers spend delivering lessons. With Scottish Government, COSLA continue to engage with the unions on the subject.

“Industrial action is in nobody’s interests, and we urge unions to work with COSLA and Scottish Government to find a solution all parties can agree rather that threaten to disrupt education at this crucial time of year.

“We recognise that supporting teachers is essential. However, this needs to be facilitated in a way that ensures a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.

“COSLA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Scottish Government and teaching unions through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) on the implementation of the Ministerial commitment to reduce class contact time.

“Concerns about the financial and practical implications of this policy remain. RCCT cannot be delivered without full funding and a clear understanding of its impact on children and young people.”