Education fears

I agree with Friday’s editorial that John Swinney’s reforms to Scottish education are a step in the right direction, but these require two further items on which he was unclear.

One concerns the continued support of schools by local which appear to further empower both them, and that ludicrously misnamed agency “Education Scotland”.

The other is a coherent way out of the morass of Curriculum for Excellence because until its centrality is challenged, attainment will stagnate and inequality will widen.

International evidence shows the need for “core knowledge”, and I hope this announcement isn’t just a ruse to allow the SNP to blame individual schools if progress falters. REV DR JOHN CAMERON Howard Place, St Andrews

I write in response to your editorial (16 June) that “Education reforms are a step in the right direction.”

Having supported three of the four bids for self-governing schools to the Scottish government, I recognise that a start has been made on the much-needed educational reforms.

However, I am deeply disappointed that political

appeasement of competing vested interests such as the local authorities and teachers’ unions has come before the needs and aspirations of pupils and their parents.

Surely if self-governing autonomy is good enough for Jordanhill High School it can be allowed for other schools, even if only as a pilot to establish how well it works?

The Hometown Foundation, a Scottish charity with a strong interest in education, will continue to develop and promote progressive initiatives that introduce innovation and diversity into the education system to drive up attainment and demonstrate more cost effective models whilst pressing for greater autonomy.

BILL NICOL Director, The Hometown Foundation, New Lanark