‘Damaged brand’ that pontificates as standards plummet
EDUCATION Scotland was set up in 2011 to improve the country’s schools – but has been mired in controversy. Supposedly independent, the quango has been heavily criticised for having conflicting interests as both the schools’ curriculum advisory body and the country’s schools inspectorate. Last August, the biggest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland, called it a ‘damaged brand’ and said it had ‘singularly failed’ to provide leadership. It has also been criticised for some of the contentious guidance it has given. Last week this paper revealed teachers were told to avoid using certain words in class that were associated with ‘British values’ as they could be considered ‘offensive’.
In January, the body was similarly criticised for telling teachers not to punish children if they misbehaved – even if they were bullies.
Education Scotland’s chief executive Gayle Gorman took the reins last year. She was formerly education director at Aberdeen City Council, which last year warned schools could be forced to close because of a teacher shortage.