School trips in Scotland can cost nearly £5,000 per pupil, a freedom of information request has revealed. The most expensive recorded was a £4,700 expedition by Balfron High School, near Stirling, to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The Sunday Times also reported trips to Tanzania (£3,750), Peru (£2,650) and Malawi (£2,490). Other destinations included Walt Disney World in Florida, Canada and Australia. An East Renfrewshire three-day religious studies trip to Rome cost £740.

A secondary technological education teacher convicted of a firearms offence has been cleared to remain in the profession. In May 2015, Neil McKay was convicted at Ayr Sheriff Court of buying two prohibited stun guns “designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious liquid, gas or thing, namely electricity”, and later fined £750. However, a General Teaching Council for Scotland panel found that this had been “a technical breach of the criminal law”.

A Glasgow charity has become the first black and minority ethnic organisation in Scotland to partner with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). The Boots and Beards charity is based in Nicola Sturgeon’s constituency, and the first minister said she was “delighted” by the news. DofE Scotland director Barry Fisher said the charity was now in “a unique position” to help young people build “skills for life and work”.

The first complete history of one of Scotland’s oldest schools has been published. Wallace Hall Academy, in Dumfries and Galloway, was founded in 1723. The book, Wallace Hall Academy: almost 300 years, has been written by Stewart Jamieson, a former pupil.