Craigroyston praised at Holyrood!

Education Minister congratulates our local community high school

The fantastic improvement of education standards at Craigroyston Community High School was acknowledged this week by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance MSP.

Ms Constance made her comments following questions from Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir – the school sits within Mr Keir’s constituency.

Craigroyston has seen a dramatic improvement in HMIE results as well as using innovative practices within the curriculum.

Colin Keir said: “The way Craigroyston Community High School has improved is a credit to the pupils, staff and the Headteacher Steve Ross. Partnership working, enthusiastic ideas and the will to get better results for the students is driving this school community forward and should be seen as a source of pride for the whole community”.

The parliamentary exchange:

School Leavers (Positive Destinations)

Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination. (S4O-04498)

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance): As I said earlier, the proportion of young people who left school and who have sustained a positive destination has reached a record 91.7 per cent. Curriculum for excellence offers young people learning that promotes academic and vocational qualifications that are informed by the needs of our employers. “Developing the Young Workforce—Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy” sets out our aim to further the links between education and industry.

Our opportunities for all commitment ensures that an offer of further learning or training is in place for all young people until their 20th birthday. Young people are better supported than ever to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them. That includes better career information, advice and guidance so that they can make informed learning and career choices based on labour market demand.

Colin Keir: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the actions that have been taken at Craigroyston Community High School in my constituency, which has had a magnificent improvement in Education Scotland reports through enlightened changes to its curriculum as well as partnership with local businesses, should be seen as an excellent model for preparing students for life beyond school as well as a source of pride for the local community?

Angela Constance: Yes. I have visited Craigroyston Community High School on two occasions, the first of which was for the launch of the report of the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce.

I congratulate the headteacher, staff and pupils of Craigroyston on the improvements that they have made.

Education Scotland has identified key strengths in the school, such as its co-ordinated and high-quality support for young people and their families and the shared vision that is securing positive destinations for young people. Those are key aspects of raising attainment. I know that the headteacher shared his curriculum model with other secondary headteachers at a national conference on Curriculum for Excellence earlier this year.

Holyrood set to rock!

A nation-wide competition to find the best new musical talent in Scotland, whilst encouraging young people to use their vote in the 2016 Holyrood election, was been launched in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP was joined by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the other Holyrood party leaders to announce details of the competition. David Hershaw and Sandie Forbes from Fife-based contemporary folk band The Dandylions were also on hand to lend their support and to encourage bands from across Scotland to apply.

Taking place throughout October, the competition will comprise eight regional heats. Forming part of the Rocktober Festival of events, the heats will take place in community spaces and venues in constituencies across Scotland. The final, Holyrood Rocks, will be staged at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 31 October.

A panel of MSPs and industry experts will be invited to select one act from their regional heat to go through to the final and the winning act will be given the opportunity to record with an XFM producer at their studios in London’s Leicester Square.

Presiding Officer, Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “This competition is an exciting and innovative way to support musical talent whilst also encouraging the participation of young people in the political process.

“MSPs from across the political spectrum are delighted to be involved and I look forward to welcoming the best of Scotland’s emerging musical talent to Holyrood this October.”

The competition is organised in association with the Scottish Political and Cultural Partnership (SPCP) and also aims to raise awareness of the career opportunities available in Scotland across the creative industries and to emphasise the importance of these industries to the economy.

Fraser Paterson of The Scottish Political and Cultural Partnership commented:
“We’re delighted to have the full backing of the Scottish Parliament for what promises to be a fantastic project. We can’t wait to take Holyrood Rocks across the country, hearing the views of Scotland’s young people and encouraging them to make their voice heard.”

Entries are welcome from unsigned acts whose members are all over 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit.

Visit www.scottish.parliament.uk/holyroodrocks for the most up to date information on the Roctober Festival and Holyrood Rocks events and also for information on how to apply to take part.

St George’s girls fly the flag for Edinburgh

St George’s face thirty opponents in Euroquiz final

In which European city could you find the oldest amusement park in the world? Which European country has the ‘zloty’ as its currency? Do you know when the European Coal and Steel Community was founded?

These are examples of some of the tough questions that will face over 120 primary P6 from all over Scotland who will take over the Scottish Parliament’s Debating Chamber today (Monday 11 May).

Thirty schools have debated their way through a series of heats to represent their local authority areas in the Euroquiz final at Holyrood and the capital will be represented by Ravelston’s St. George’s School for Girls.

Deputy Presiding Officer and Euroquiz quizmaster Elaine Smith MSP said: “Euroquiz is a fun and engaging way for children to learn about Europe and Scotland’s place in the world. It’s wonderful that our children are growing up in Scotland so knowledgeable about our European neighbours and the level of awareness of the participants never fails to impress.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament is once again hosting the final of Euroquiz and I look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters to Holyrood.”

The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) has been running the quiz since 1993 and this is the eighth year the event has been held at the Scottish Parliament. The event is sponsored by the European Parliament and the Scottish Government.

Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan MSP said: “It’s great to see so many children and young people from around Scotland participating in this year’s Euroquiz final and putting their knowledge to the test of all things European. I hope every team has enjoyed their experience this year.”

Each of the 30 Scottish schools taking part in the quiz have already won their local authority round and will be competing against the winners of all the other heats in the final. Bon chance, St George’s!

A live webcast of the event will be accessible via the Scottish Parliament’s website at – http://www.scottishparliament.tv/

Schools and parents must work together, says survey

Parents and schools need to work to together to help children achieve their best. This is just one of the findings to come from a survey of parents conducted on behalf of the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee.

The on line survey, undertaken by the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe), sought the views of parents and guardians of school age children. It asked questions about communication with schools, involvement with the Parent Teacher Council and sought ideas on how schools and parents might work together. In the survey 71% strongly agreed that it is important schools and parents work together.

The survey provides a small snapshot of parental involvement in school. The majority (56%) of parents completing the survey were from Edinburgh with 22% of those responding having children in independent schools.

The survey was commissioned to feed into the Committee’s year long work on attainment. Next week (31 March) the Committee will explore how parents and schools can work together to help children realise their potential at school.

Committee Convener Stewart Maxwell MSP said: “Parents and guardians play a crucial role in their children’s education and we wanted to hear from them about the part they play in their child’s education.

“Whilst this is clearly an Edinburgh-centric sample, it paints an important picture about the need for schools and parents to work closer together in order that children can achieve their very best at school. This is something we can all agree is desirable.

“The survey also reveals that those with children in independent schools find it easier to get information about how their child is progressing than those in state schools. Our Committee will explore whether there are lessons to be learned about keeping parents informed.”

89% of parents whose children went to independent primary school’s agreed or strongly agreed information helped them support their child’s learning. This compares to 61%of those with children at state primary school.

Other results from the survey include:

78% of respondents are confident the school will help them with their child’s learning.
Around a third of respondents with children in state school’s are actively involved in the parent council compared with only 6% of independent school parents.
Communication was a key theme with parents seeking good communication about how their children were progressing.

Holyrood committee to study impact of welfare reforms on women

Women urged to share their experiences of welfare reform

The impact of recent welfare reforms on women in Scotland will be the focus of a new inquiry by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee.

Evidence seen by MSPs has suggested that women are being disproportionately affected and research recently published by the Committee highlighted that lone parents have been severely impacted upon. The Committee has now launched a call for views and is asking how welfare changes have affected women.

Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP explained: “Previous research conducted for the Committee has shown a significant impact on lone parents. That suggests there is likely to be a wider impact on large numbers of women, a view put forward by Professor Steve Fothergill at our meeting this week.

“Our Committee has put personal experiences at the heart of our work. This inquiry will be no different and we would like to hear from people across Scotland on how welfare changes have impacted their life.”

Deputy Convener, Clare Adamson MSP added: “Our Committee has previously revealed the devastating impact of welfare reform on Scotland’s communities.

“The Committee has already heard first-hand testimony from women in Scotland on the challenges faced by many in light of the UK Government’s welfare reforms. We know there are many other women out there with experiences to share and I would encourage them to get in touch with us.”

The Committee would also like submissions to address the following questions:

What is your (or your clients) experience of being on benefits or employment support?
How has your (or your clients) experience with the benefit system changed in recent years since the introduction of the welfare reforms?
Are there any challenges involved in being in receipt of your (your clients) particular benefits?
What would be your priorities for change when certain benefits / elements of employment support come to Scotland?
Do you have any suggestions of practical improvements that you would like to see when certain benefits / elements of employment support are under Scottish control?

Inspiring Young Women: be all you can be

Major event at Holyrood this month

Inspiring young women to be the best that they can be is the key focus of a major event being held at Holyrood on Monday 23 March, hosted by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP.

Announced as part of the Presiding Officer’s Time for Reflection address to the Scottish Parliament on 23 September 2014, the event will bring together 128 young women from across Scotland. It has been designed to encourage young women to develop the confidence and leadership skills needed to help them to achieve.

The Presiding Officer said: “The referendum demonstrated to the world that young people can and should play a full role in determining the future of their countries. This is right and proper. As the Scottish Parliament is led by its first female Presiding Officer with women in key political positions, we have a golden moment now to encourage this generation of young women.

“On 23 March, I have invited young women from schools across Scotland to come to Holyrood. We will explore what it means to be a young woman in Scotland today, what inspires them, what holds them back and what their hopes are for the future.”

Exploring themes of confidence, leadership and barriers that hold young women back from being the best they can be, the young women will meet with and have the opportunity to question female MSPs who are playing leading roles in their parties.

MSPs joining the Presiding Officer on the day are: Leader of Scottish Labour in the Scottish Parliament Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson MSP, Business Manager and Spokesperson for Justice for the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alison McInnes MSP and Scottish Greens’ spokesperson on sport, rural affairs, environment, culture and education Alison Johnstone MSP. Also participating in the day will be key figures in the fields of arts, industry, sport and public life.

Speaking of her own personal commitment, Mrs Marwick MSP said: “All young women should have the confidence to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. I am determined to play my role in making sure the Scottish Parliament is a place that encourages them and positively impacts on how they see themselves.”

Thirty-two schools across Scotland (one in each local authority area) will each send four young women to attend the Inspiring Young Women event at Holyrood Scottish Parliament staff are working closely with the S4 and S5 year group pupils ahead of the event to ensure they get the best from their time on the day.

Schools taking part are:

Aberdeen City – Torry Academy
Aberdeenshire – Peterhead Academy
Angus – Arbroath Academy
Argyll & Bute – Dunoon Grammar School
Clackmannanshire – Alloa Academy
Dumfries & Galloway – Maxwelltown High School
Dundee City – Off-site Education Service
East Ayrshire – Doon Academy
East Dunbartonshire – Boclair Academy
East Lothian – Preston Lodge High School
East Renfrewshire – Barrhead High School
Edinburgh City – Castlebrae Community High School
Eilean Siar – Sgoil Lionacleit
Falkirk – Falkirk High School
Fife – Auchmuty High School
Glasgow City – Springburn Academy
Highland – Inverness High School
Inverclyde – St Stephen’s High School
Midlothian – Newbattle High School
Moray – Forres Academy
North Ayrshire – Irvine Royal Academy
North Lanarkshire – Braidhurst High School
Orkney Islands – Stromness Academy
Perth & Kinross – Perth Academy School
Renfrewshire – Castlehead High School
Scottish Borders – Hawick High School
Shetland Islands – Anderson High School
South Ayrshire – Ayr Academy
South Lanarkshire – John Ogilvie High School
Stirling – Wallace High School
West Dunbartonshire – St Peter the Apostle High School
West Lothian – St Kentigern’s Academy

Parents and people with disabilities hardest hit by welfare reforms

‘This latest evidence shows that some of those most in need of support, namely parents and disabled people are being hardest hit. For us to be in this situation in 21^st century Scotland is unacceptable.’ – Michael McMahon MSP

Parents and people with disabilities are being hit hardest by the UK Government’s programme of welfare reform according to new research commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee.

The report, published yesterday, represents the first time the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reform agenda on different household types in Scotland has been quantified.

The research for the Committee was conducted by Professors Christina Beatty and Steve Fothergill of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University.

The new evidence shows that in Scotland, it is estimated that couples with dependent children will lose an average of more than £1,400 a year, and lone parents with dependent children stand to lose an average of around £1,800 a year from their income stream.

In all, families with children will lose an estimated £960m a year – approaching two-thirds of the overall financial loss in Scotland.

Disabled claimants and those with health problems have also been shown to be disproportionately affected. Reductions in incapacity benefits are estimated to average £2,000 a year, and some of the same people also face big losses in Disability Living Allowance and reductions in other benefits.

Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP said: “The Welfare Reform Committee has amassed a growing volume of evidence documenting the impact of the welfare reform agenda on Scotland’s communities. This latest evidence shows that some of those most in need of support, namely parents and disabled people are being hardest hit. For us to be in this situation in 21^st century Scotland is unacceptable.”

The report also shows that almost half the reduction in benefits might be expected to fall on in-work households.

Deputy Convener, Clare Adamson MSP said: “The Scottish Government is to be commended for introducing measures to alleviate some of the worst effects of the welfare reform agenda. New powers over a range of benefits are due to be given to Holyrood in the coming years and this research will help direct those new powers to help those most in need of support.”

Until now, there has been no way to assess the impact across the various benefits on different types of households. Because of the cumulative impact of people being affected by several different benefit streams, the overall impact of welfare reforms has been hidden.

The statistics are expected to become an essential tool for government and local authorities in shaping targeted responses and service delivery.

The research follows two previous reports which measured the financial impact of welfare reform on Scotland as a whole and by local authority area, and the impact down to ward level.

The Committee expects to hear oral evidence on this report at its meeting on 10 March.

Professor Steve Fothergill, of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The figures demonstrate that the welfare reforms impact very unevenly. The very big impact on families with children, in particular, has previously been under the radar because it is the cumulative result of several individual reforms. Coalition ministers have argued that “we’re all in it together”. The impacts of welfare reform, documented in our report, show this is far from being the case.”

The end of Poll Tax debt

Scottish Parliament passes Community Charge Debt Bill

Proposals to end the collection of the historic Poll Tax debt have been approved today with a new law being passed by the Scottish Parliament.

As part of the Bill, the liability to pay the arrears in Scotland ended on February 1, 2015. This was subject to, and has now received, final approval from Parliament.

The Scottish Government brought forward the bill to bring an end to collection of debts under the discredited tax, which was abolished in 1993 after only four years in operation in Scotland.

Speaking after the vote to approve the bill the Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government has acted act expeditiously to address the use of information gathered from voter registration to pursue historical debts from a tax that is discredited and which has not been operational in Scotland for more than 20 years.

“People should not fear being on the electoral registers because of decades-old community charge debts.

“Although the amount of Poll Tax arrears collected by local authorities across Scotland has fallen in recent years to less than £350,000 in 2013-14, we will ensure that local authorities are properly compensated in line with current collection rates in respect of outstanding amounts.

“I am proud that the Scottish Parliament has consigned the ‘poll tax’ to history and extinguished any remaining liability for a disgraced and defunct tax.”

Influencing your Parliament

Scottish Parliament Community Conference this month

Local people keen to have their voice heard by their MSP and the Scottish Parliament can discover how to run a social media campaign, secure media stories on the issues that affect them, petition the Parliament and even hold their own Holyrood event, by attending a conference at Dumfries’ Easterbrook Hall on Saturday 21 February.

At the Scottish Parliament Communities Conference, local MSPs Elaine Murray and Alex Fergusson will share expert advice on how to help your MSP help you, with interactive workshops run throughout the day, led by MSPs and the Scottish Parliament’s expert staff.

Engagement can result in a wide range of actions, including parliamentary debate, changes to law and policy direction.

Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries said: “When an issue matters, and when it is within Holyrood’s power to help, engaging with MSPs and the Scottish Parliament can be a direct way for individuals, community groups and organisations to be heard.”

He went on: “We want to make sure that people from across Dumfries and Galloway know how to engage with us, their local MSPs, and to know that the Scottish Parliament belongs to them. The conference is all about helping make sure their voice is heard. I hope to meet many people from across the South West who feel strongly about an issue, so I can share a range of ways the Scottish Parliament can help make a positive difference to people’s lives in their local community, or even throughout Scotland.”

Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire said: ““We’re looking forward to meeting as many local community organisations, charities, social enterprises, tenants and residents groups, local campaign organisations, volunteers and youth groups as possible. But we also want to hear from individuals with an important issue to share. Only by hearing from people who have perhaps never been involved with the Parliament or politics before can we continue to raise the profile of a wide variety of important issues and give the people of Dumfries and Galloway a voice.”

In addition to Ms Murray and Mr Ferguson, other MSPs leading workshops on the day include Chic Brodie, MSP for South Scotland; John Wilson, MSP for Central Scotland; Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland and Aileen McLeod, Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform.

Joyce Harkness is a campaigner and social enterprise manager from Hightae near Lochmaben. She said: “It’s great news that the Communities Conference is coming to Dumfries. I would encourage anyone who wants to kick-start getting their voice heard at the Scottish Parliament to come to Easterbrook Hall on the 21st.

“I’ve attended Scottish Parliament community workshops in the past and they’ve been invaluable. When I was campaigning for better rural transport for older people across Dumfries and Galloway, working with the Parliament really helped get our issues raised in a positive way. The MSPs and Parliamentary staff really listen and have great ideas and practical advice that’s specially tailored to your campaign. The sheer range of ways you can engage with Parliament can be a real eye-opener.”

Putting the ‘power’ into Empowerment

Changes are needed to ensure legislation designed to empower communities delivers on its promise, according to an influential parliamentary committee.

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee reports today on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill.

Whilst fully supporting the general principles of the Bill, the Committee noted for communities to be truly empowered there needs to be a change in the mind set of public authorities. They have to be more open to communities setting the agenda and this must be coupled with support to communities to help them access these new powers.

The Bill aims to provide local communities with the power to participate in local decision making via participation requests. It also sets out powers for communities to take ownership or management of lands from public authorities into community control. Other measures include reform of allotment provision as well as changes to the rules governing Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs).

Committee Convener, Kevin Stewart MSP said: “During our consideration of the Bill we met with folks in communities across the country who said time and again that they wanted to be more involved in the decisions being made about them.

“There can no doubt this Bill is generally a welcome boost towards putting power in the hands of communities. However, for a Bill which is designed to empower, we were struck by the requirement that only groups with a written constitution could submit a participation request. This seems out of step with the whole ethos of the Bill. In the words of Jeanie Mackenzie – who responded to our video on participation requests: ‘Sometimes an individual has a very good idea for improving public services, but lacks the time or opportunity to find others and form a constituted group.”

Whilst noting the vital role of CPPs, the Committee expressed concern that local communities are not sufficiently involved in the decisions being made and CPPs were too focussed on a ‘top-down’ approach. The report recommends that the Bill should require CPPs to actively seek input directly from the community and not just its representatives.

The Committee also raised concerns about the language used around the proposals which in itself could be seen as a barrier to community involvement.

Kevin Stewart MSP added: “During our consideration of the Bill we heard expressions used like ‘third sector interface’ and ‘partnership-framework’ when taking about community involvement. Language like this can act as a barrier for people getting involved. For the Bill to truly empower, public authorities must avoid ‘gobbledygook’ phrases which cannot be easily understood.”

Other recommendations in the report include:

Provision should be enshrined in the Bill for consultation and engagement with affected communities in relation to the National Outcomes.
There should be an explicit requirement on all CPPs to include community capacity building in local plans.
The Bill should stipulate a 6 month maximum time limit for public authorities to conclude contracts for community transfers.
Whilst agreeing that there should be no defined allotment size, guidance should be produced for local authorities outlining the different needs and good practice.