SQA bans music exam tuition fees

Scotland on Sunday

- Tuition fees have ended for thousands of school-children sitting Scottish Qualification Authority music exams. Five local authorities in Scotland have been charging S4 to S6 students sitting SQA music exams instrumental tuition fees of up to #163;340 a year. They will end this practice from August.

Uni cuts staff and splurges on boss’s pad

Sunday Herald

- The University of Stirling, which laid off dozens of staff, has been criticised after spending more than #163;150,000 sprucing up new principal Gerry McCormac’s grace-and-favour residence. Bosses at the university spent around #163;22,000 on a new kitchen and more than #163;45,000 on landscaping.

Scots teacher found guilty of abducting schoolgirl

The Herald

- Teacher Jeremy Forrest turned to his former pupil and said “I love you” moments before a jury found him guilty of abducting her when she was just 15 years old. Forrest, 30, was convicted after an eight-day trial in which prosecutors had described him as a paedophile who had committed a gross breach of trust by starting a sexual relationship with a teenager.

Joyrider aged 12

Daily Record

- A 12-year-old tearaway in a stolen car was hunted through city streets by seven police vehicles. The child’s terrifying joyride ended only when he crashed head-on into another car. His desperate mother, who looked on helplessly as the boy took his uncle’s car, admitted that he had been excluded from Baldragon Academy in Dundee and was out of control.

Primary school pupils and fire crew share site

The Herald

- Pupils at Lochaline Primary in the Highlands are well prepared should a fire break out. The school, on the remote Morvern Peninsula, has a firefighter and a fire engine stationed in the building. Overlooking the Sound of Mull, the school, which officially opened last week, incorporates a community fire station.