Scotland has made progress in reducing child poverty in 20 years, but the problem is now likely to rise, according to a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report (see bit.ly/JRFpoverty). Scotland has the lowest proportion in the UK of people not in employment, education or training. However, poor Scots are more likely to die young and to be depressed.

An independent panel is being set up to ensure that the Scottish government’s Named Person plans are “workable’”. Ian Welsh, chief executive of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, has been announced as chair. Under Named Person, a professional - often a teacher - is appointed to ensure the welfare of every child, but the scheme has been held up by legal challenges. Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee warned it could not recommend approval for the associated Bill until ministers provided “an authoritative draft” of a code of practice on sharing information about children.

An event in Edinburgh on 17 January will help teachers to introduce more “nursery-type” learning, as envisaged in Curriculum for Excellence. Organiser Children in Scotland said play-based approaches are “a significant departure from the norm for many schools” but would help smooth transition to P1. To book a place, call 0131 3138826 or email events@childreninscotland.org.uk

Christmas cards designed by 11 Edinburgh pupils were displayed on every Princes Street digital bus shelter for the first four days of Advent. Three designs were also selected as council Christmas cards - by Mithila Alamgir (P6, Sighthill Primary), Yiannis Hadjipieris, (P2, Braidburn School) and Avah Robertson, (P5, Longstone Primary).