Scotland
The latest news, analysis, investigations and professional advice covering everything to do with the schools sector in Scotland
Today
5th Sep 2024
Absence during school transition ‘is especially harmful’
New research warns against focusing only on chronic or persistent pupil absence, saying that moderate absences ‘accumulate over time and significantly impact achievement’
![Absence during transition to secondary ‘especially harmful’, finds new research](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Harmful%20Absence.jpg?itok=CbEiUtMq)
Scottish free meals pledge ditched for upper primary pupils
Pupils in the first five years of primary in Scotland receive free meals but the government has confirmed that the policy will not be delivered in P6-7
![Free school meals will not be extended to all primary pupils in Scotland by 2026](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/School-meals.jpg?itok=oSRbR0jm)
Yesterday
4th Sep 2024
Exams to be removed from some practical subjects in next school year
Scottish programme for government states that the exams will no longer feature in 2025-26, as part of national qualifications reform
![Exams to be removed from some practical subjects in next school year](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/School-metalwork.jpg?itok=TmLKXIpu)
SQA: PE update will open up subject to disabled students
As of this school year, Scottish students will be able to be assessed in Paralympic sports such as boccia and goalball in order to gain national qualifications in PE
![PE update for disabled children](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/PE-update.jpg?itok=qIL-3S0Y)
SQA exams start date delayed after heads raise concerns
Some students would have started exams the day after returning from the Easter break under the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s original plans
![Man with stop sign](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Start-delayed.jpg?itok=oxYYlrpm)
Tuesday
3rd Sep 2024
Gilruth gives ‘clear support’ for whole-school phone bans
Education secretary moves to clarify government position after publication last month of guidance for schools on mobile phones and behaviour
![Jenny Gilruth](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Gilruth-Mobile.jpg?itok=h7z1xo2U)
EIS recommends teachers accept pay offer
Union ballot opens tomorrow on teacher pay offer of 4.27 per cent, which would apply to all salaries covered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers
![Pay accepted](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Scottish-money.jpg?itok=ffTICiV8)
Inquiry seeks Scottish teachers’ and pupils’ views of Covid years
Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry’s focus includes teaching during lockdown and how the pandemic affected pupils’ behaviour
![Greyfriars bobby covid mask](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Scotland-covid.jpg?itok=1oVeo6XW)
Give BME teachers right to request a sponsor, says GTCS
Sponsors would ‘help further the careers’ of teachers from minority backgrounds who are under-represented in Scottish schools – especially in promoted roles
![Black school teacher](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/BME-sponsor.jpg?itok=jASd_LJ3)
Monday
2nd Sep 2024
New Scottish teacher pay offer tabled
Teacher representatives had set a deadline of noon today for a ‘credible’ offer and will now consider response in meetings this week
![New Scottish teacher pay offer tabled](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-09/Teacher-pay-rise.jpg?itok=_X_q1Pq4)
How cinema can find a place in a school’s curriculum
Film has to ‘battle’ for curriculum time in schools, but teacher Fraser Johnston explains how this fight can be won – and why students react so strongly to the movies
![How cinema enriches a school curriculum](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Mungo%E2%80%99s_High_School_Tes_Aards.jpg?itok=VG3UZfW4)