Charity regulator gives its verdict
- The Scottish Charity Regulator has announced decisions on six of the 40 fee-charging schools whose charitable status will be reviewed by summer 2014. Wellington School in Ayr failed to provide enough help in paying for its high fees and has been given 18 months to make the school more accessible. The five that passed the test are: St Margaret’s School for Girls, Aberdeen; Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen; Kelvinside Academy War Memorial Trust, Glasgow; Belmont House, Glasgow; and Glenalmond College, Perthshire. Discussions continue with Fernhill School in Glasgow, Struthers Memorial Church in Greenock and the International School of Aberdeen.
Sixth closure threat for school
- A Shetland school has been included in closure proposals for the sixth time since 2000. The secondary department of Skerries school is under threat - consultation begins on Tuesday - as the council seeks #163;3 million of savings from its school estate. The last attempt to close Skerries’ secondary department, two years ago, failed after a report showed it could cost less to keep it open, if closure made families leave the island.
Holocaust trust given #163;510K
- First minister Alex Salmond has announced that #163;510,000 will be given to the Holocaust Educational Trust over the next two years. This will allow the continuation of Lessons from Auschwitz, a programme that helps children and young people learn about the Holocaust and includes visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The work has been funded by the government since 2009.
Governance code criticised
- Two teaching unions have become the latest bodies to attack a new code of governance for Scotland’s universities, in submissions to this week’s meeting of the Scottish Parliament education committee. The steering group behind the code promised it would lead to more accountability. But the Educational Institute of Scotland said it was “not fit for purpose”, while the University and College Union called for the code to be “ditched”.
Golden games programme
- The education programme for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been launched. Game on Scotland includes case studies showing how schools throughout the UK have used sporting events to inspire learning.
