Higher education boom
The Herald
A record number of Scottish pupils are leaving schools to go to university or college, new figures reveal. Official statistics show almost 63 per cent went into higher or further education last year, the highest proportion on record. The rise is believed to be down to the shortage of jobs after the recession. The figures from the Scottish Government also show that half of pupils now leave school with at least one Higher.
Protests over cut courses
The Scotsman
Angry protests broke out last week over plans to cut courses at two of Scotland’s largest universities. Demonstrations took place on the campuses of Glasgow and Strathclyde universities as the ruling bodies held meetings over proposed cuts. Glasgow aims to save up to pound;20m and Strathclyde up to pound;12m by cutting arts and social science degrees.
Moray Firth college launch
Press and Journal
A new college was launched in Inverness city centre last week. Moray Firth Tutorial College, which will offer part-time courses for people of all ages across the Highlands from a base in the city, will officially open in August. The college is the brainchild of principal Anni Cole-Hamilton, who established the Highlands’ only private school in 2002.
Harvard scholarships won
The Scotsman
Three Scots teenagers who have been in care or had difficulties at school have won summer school scholarships to one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Mandy Clarke, Cally McKenzie and Dean Roger will spend seven weeks studying at Harvard University, which counts eight US presidents including Barack Obama among its graduates. The three Scots will study two academic programmes of their choice and be mentored by undergraduates.
Village school most costly
The Herald
A tiny Scottish village school which is the most expensive in Britain - it costs pound;54,000 a year to educate each of its two pupils - closed its doors for the final time last week. Inversnaid Primary on Loch Lomondside had just two pupils and three members of staff, meaning education cost more per head than Eton. Stirling Council decided the school should close.
