Education plans will include key role for parents

reform: Swinney wants parents and teachers to become decision-makers in schools as he faces pressure over falling standards

Parents and teachers will become the “key decision-makers” in schools as part of Scottish Government plans to reform education, the Deputy First Minister has said.

John Swinney said that to help close the attainment gap between rich and poor, decisions on learning should be made by those closest to children.

The Education Secretary is to outline the next steps in the Scottish Government’s education reforms to MSPs at Holyrood next week.

It comes as the Government faces increasing pressure over falling standards of literacy and numeracy in Scotland’s schools, although ministers highlight the record level of exam passes.

To drive up attainment, the Scottish Government is introducing standardised testing across primary schools while the £120 million pupil equity funding scheme will give head teachers additional cash to spend in their schools.

Mr Swinney said: “As part of the relentless drive to improve Scottish education, we must embrace the need to reform and reshape our education system.

“To close the attainment gap and raise the bar for all, decisions about a child’s learning should be made as close to that child as possible.

“That is why I have pledged to make teachers and parents the key decision-makers in the life of a school.

“Reforms already introduced, such as pupil equity funding, put the power to change lives directly in the hands of those with the expertise and insight to target resources at the greatest need.”

He continued: “We must go further to drive improvements, putting young people at the heart of Scottish education and supporting and empowering head teachers, teachers and parents.

“Later this month, I will set out the actions which will achieve this.

“This is a vision of empowerment and devolution – devolution from local authorities to schools, including teachers, head teachers, parents and communities – and devolution from a national to a local or a regional level to drive improvement in Scottish education.”