MSP backs disability charity’s report

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith has supported disability charity Enable Scotland at a parliamentary reception.

Enable Scotland has released a report which includes 22 steps towards ensuring that pupils with learning disabilities are not sidelined – based on based on 800 detailed responses to its seven-month “national conversation”.

The document states 98% of teachers felt training did not prepare them for educating pupils with complex support needs.

It also revealed more than two thirds of pupils with learning difficulties felt isolated and alone in the school environment.

Conservative politician Ms Smith said: “Ensuring that everyone attending school has the opportunity to fulfil their potential is important but too often pupils with learning difficulties are left behind on this journey.

“This report from Enable Scotland underlines that there is much to do if we are to see an inclusive education system that works for all.

“Making sure that teachers know how to educate pupils with difficulties whilst also recognising their complex learning needs is critical.

“I welcome the report from Enable and hope that the Scottish Government takes on board their recommendations.”

Enable Scotland’s Jan Savage said: “It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room and confirm what most teachers, parents and children have said privately for a very long time.

“The presumption to mainstream policy was designed to deliver inclusion - it hasn’t.

“The introduction of the presumption to mainstream policy 16 years ago, which moved us towards including most pupils who have learning disabilities into mainstream schools, was a huge step.

“But since then, we have also seen a gradual and systematic reduction in all the specialist support that is needed to underpin that policy, like training, and access to specialist in-school support.

“Pupils have told us that they feel bullied, isolated and excluded.

“Parents have told us they feel frustration that the system is not working.

“Importantly, teachers feel untrained, unsupported, and stressed.

“Eight hundred of them have spoken to Enable Scotland about how they feel.

“It’s time to listen, take stock, and then act to ensure that we are getting it right for every child, in every classroom, in Scotland.”