Inquiry into fatal school bus crash
- A fatal accident inquiry will be held into a school bus crash that killed a 17-year-old girl in 2010. Natasha Paton was on a Lanark Grammar trip to Alton Towers when the bus came off the road in a blizzard near Biggar, South Lanarkshire. The Crown Office has agreed an inquiry should go ahead, but South Lanarkshire Council said that it had not yet received a date.
College merger plans progress
- Anniesland, Cardonald and Langside colleges are to move forward with merger plans after financial and legal due diligence exercises. The colleges have 30,000 students between them and aim to create a new college for south and west Glasgow. Consultation on the merger will be undertaken from 27 August to 16 November.
Investing in internships
- Graduates in Scotland should have more chances to take on internships at Scottish firms following the investment of about pound;200,000 by the Scottish government. This will support Adopt-an-Intern, a scheme that helps graduates into permanent jobs, and will go towards 110 placements in 2012- 13. Youth employment minister Angela Constance said Adopt-an-Intern had already seen 193 graduates take up internships, with 66 per cent getting a permanent job.
Case scrapped over evidence
- A fitness-to-teach hearing was scrapped after the teacher involved complained he had not been present when evidence was given. James Boyle was jailed for rape and sexual assault in 2005, but the conviction was later quashed on appeal and he has applied to rejoin the teaching register. The GTCS conceded that Mr Boyle had not been able to participate fully in the hearing, as he had not had an opportunity to respond to evidence. It is considering how to take the case forward.
Grant to boost Gaelic provision
- South Uist is closer to having a dedicated centre for Gaelic music, language and dance after receiving a Scottish government grant of pound;5,000. This will help local cultural body Ceolas work on a proposal which could generate an additional pound;2 million for the local economy and create 50 jobs. Education secretary Michael Russell said: “Ceolas has an international reputation and its annual summer school is seen as an important progression for students from Sabhal Mor Ostaig and other centres.”
