Scotland
The latest news, analysis, investigations and professional advice covering everything to do with the schools sector in Scotland
Tuesday
20th Aug 2024
Leadership lessons from £60 million new school blunder
The ongoing fallout after a Scottish local authority badly underestimated future demand for places in a new primary school was set out today in an Accounts Commission report
![£60 million new school blunder](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/blunder%20new%20school.jpg?itok=FBPCedtG)
Three priorities for setting behaviour intentions in the new school year
After last week’s publication of a long-awaited behaviour plan in Scotland, Jamie Thom advises how to make your classroom a place of calm and good learning
![Circle of concern influence](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Three-priorities.jpg?itok=7od42R0y)
Thursday
15th Aug 2024
No national ban on phones in Scottish schools
New Scottish government guidance says ‘mobile phones can both enhance and detract from learning’ and leaves it to schools and councils to decide ‘restrictions and limitations’
![Mobile phones ban](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Mobile-phones.jpg?itok=wAlcPOxN)
What I’m learning from seeing education in every part of Scotland
The interim chief executive of Education Scotland shares what she has discovered in her ongoing challenge to visit every Scottish local authority by the end of 2024
![What I’m learning from seeing education in every part of Scotland](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Scottish%20education%20viewing2.jpg?itok=WHvWB2CF)
New Scottish behaviour plan advises ‘high warmth and high standards’
‘Culture shift’ in behaviour management has made teachers feel ‘disempowered’, says plan, which backs ‘relationships-based approaches’ and barely mentions exclusions
![Comforting little girl pupil](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Comforting-student.jpg?itok=OVAcKv1V)
Wednesday
14th Aug 2024
Why are independent schools closing in Scotland?
The news that two Scottish independent schools are closing raises questions about the health of the sector as a whole – and has prompted the national body for private schools to call for a delay in applying VAT on fees
![Why are independent schools closing in Scotland?](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Closing%20Independent%20Schools%20Scotland.jpg?itok=SmDspDCm)
Why the drive to reduce exams in Scotland is foundering
As secondary schools wait for clarity on the future of assessment and the senior phase more generally, it appears that change will be less bold than many had hoped
![Sinking boat](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/foundering-boat.jpg?itok=aBf8jdF-)