Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance for schools supported schools and local authorities in the delivery of education to support outcomes for children and young people, in a proportionate and responsible manner. This included setting out the importance of ensuring children and young people receive support when they are involved in making transitions at critical stages in their lives. The implementation of the guidance was led by local authorities in a way that capitalised on the good practice developed over the pandemic period, and which took full account of practical considerations at a local level.

The latest 2022-23 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL) data, published last week, show that the proportions of pupils in primary achieving expected levels of literacy and numeracy have reached record highs for children from both the most and least deprived areas, with the poverty-related attainment gap in primary literacy decreasing to its lowest on record, and the gap in primary numeracy also narrowing from 2021-22 levels. These latest figures also show improvements at secondary level compared to 2021-22, with increases in attainment across the board and the gap between those from the most and least deprived areas narrowing.

Last week’s ACEL results build on the good progress already made this year, shown in both the 2023 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results and the 2023 Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations (SSAILD). The latest SQA results show the poverty-related attainment gap remains narrower than it was pre-pandemic (2019) for National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers, at grades A-C and SSAILD data shows a record low poverty-related attainment gap in positive destinations for 2021-22 school leavers 9 months after leaving school. We have also seen a record high number of students from deprived areas entering university, with 5,595 Scots getting places, up 41% since 2014-15.

A detailed breakdown of attainment and the poverty-related attainment gap can be found on the Scottish Government website - Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels: 2022/23 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations, No. 5: 2023 Edition - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

All of this, as well as the ambitious stretch aims local authorities had set for 2022-23 and have now set for 2023-24 to 2025-26, gives me confidence that we are making progress; and the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme, in which we are investing £1bn this parliamentary term, is having an impact.

But while there is clear evidence of progress, there is much more to do. I recognise the need to continuously improve our Curriculum in a planned and systematic way, as recommended by the OECD. We need to do so, to ensure it remains relevant, forward looking and ultimately supports high quality teaching and learning. That is why in 2024 we will begin a regular Curriculum improvement cycle. Our programme of reform across the education and skills system will help identify where further improvements can be made and I will look to drive enhanced attainment and make further progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap, to ensure all young people meet their full potential.

Information on the number of offences recorded by Police Scotland under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 for 2021-22, 2022-23 and April to September 2023 is provided in the following tables. Data for the full year of 2023-24 will be published in June 2024.

Offences of Protection of livestock from dogs, by local authority, 2021-22 to 2022-23

On 12 October 2023, I announced the start of the nominations process and invited communities and organisations across the country to develop and submit their proposals for their area to become Scotland’s next National Park. Nominations are due to be submitted by 29 February 2024.

The Scottish Government is aware of at least 10 local groups who are actively engaging with their communities and developing proposals for a new National Park in their area.

Detailed guidance on the nomination and appraisal process for new National Parks has been published, and support is being made available to groups that are exploring or developing a proposal.

In Spring 2024 all nominations received by the deadline will be appraised against the criteria set out in the appraisal framework. This will inform the decision on which area or areas should go forward for designation as a new National Park.

In Summer 2024 the Scottish Government will commission a reporter to carry out a detailed investigation into the area or areas selected to become a new National Park. Based on the outcome of that investigation, secondary legislation is expected to be laid before the Parliament in order to designate at least one new National Park by 2026.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23485 on 14 December 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers

The provision of this funding will be allocated from the Education and Skills portfolio.

No teacher, member of staff or pupil should have to suffer abuse in schools. The Scottish Government is absolutely clear that our schools should be safe and consistent learning environments for all, and that violent and abusive behaviour towards pupils or staff is unacceptable.

Last month concluded a series of summits I held with a wide range of stakeholders on behaviour in schools. The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research was also published, which set out that while the majority of pupils are well behaved there has been an increase in some forms of serious disruptive behaviours, including violence.

In my statement to Parliament on 29 November, I confirmed a multi-year plan is in development to address issues identified in the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research. This plan will be developed in collaboration with the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools, and we expect it to be published early next year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23512 on 19 December 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

We will publish a national gender-based violence framework for schools in the coming weeks. We are working closely with our key stakeholders on the Gender Based Violence in Schools Working Group to ensure that the Framework supports schools in tackling gender-based violence and sexual harassment, and ensures that all children and young people in schools are protected, cared for, and their rights and needs are respected.

Following a competitive invitation to tender process, a contract for the Education Workforce Modelling and Research work was awarded to WPI Economics on 13 October 2023.