Scotland
The latest news, analysis, investigations and professional advice covering everything to do with the schools sector in Scotland
Yesterday
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-)
Tuesday
13th Aug 2024
Sharp drop in Higher history exam pass rate
This year, just two-thirds of students attained an A-C pass for Higher history – with the SQA blaming ‘a drop in performance’ in the exam
![No passing sign](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/History-Pass.jpg?itok=Or_uaRCv)
Scottish teachers urged to share expertise at major international event
‘Quality teaching for a more equitable world’ will be theme for 2025 International Study Association of Teachers and Teaching conference, in Glasgow
![Scottish teachers urged to share expertise at major international event](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Glasgow%20University.jpg?itok=PQ7EUj5l)
Thursday
8th Aug 2024
What are the most popular Higher courses in Scotland?
We show the 30 subjects with most entries at SQA Higher level in 2024, and how this list compares with 2019 – the last year before the Covid pandemic
![Like in a box](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Popular-courses.jpg?itok=PltnaPfQ)
5 ways schools can foster an anti-racist environment
In light of recent far-right violence, school teachers, leaders and other staff must be bold and clear in addressing racist attitudes, says Nuzhat Uthmani
![Zebra eye](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Zebra-racism.jpg?itok=_AX11DHt)