The leader of the organisation that represents Scottish independent schools has issued a warning about the impact of Brexit on the education sector.

John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, suggested that schools specifically should be worried about the end of freedom of movement.

“Only 14 EU teachers applied for General Teaching Council for Scotland registration up until 30 June 2018 - down from 128 in 2015, 159 in 2016 and 186 in 2017. There are already significantly fewer language teachers in Scotland than in 2008. There were 722 French teachers last year in the state sector, compared with 1,070 in 2008.

“Over the same period, the number of German teachers has almost halved, to 100 (the number of Spanish teachers has increased from 64 to 107).

“At the very least, EU withdrawal poses a real challenge for the Scottish government’s admirable 1+2 modern language ambitions.”

Edward also pointed to the impact of Brexit on the independent schools sector. “At present, two of the five most popular countries of origin for pupils in the Scottish independent school sector are EU member states: Germany and Spain.”

Edward also worries about exchange trips: “Britain’s future prosperity and place in the world depends on a new generation of outward-looking, multi-lingual, globally minded young people who are prepared to live, work and thrive in the global economy.”