Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02799 on 29 September 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

We are aware that the Institute of Physics has expressed some concerns about the impact of new curriculum structures on the numbers of pupils studying physics and other sciences in the senior phase of schooling.

The Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group (SEEAG) we established has sought the views of representatives from a wide range of science and engineering organisations on strengthening the place of STEM subjects within Curriculum for Excellence. A consultation report is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE/Science/SEEAG/ConsultationReport.

As outlined in the Curriculum for Excellence Action Plan published on 21 September 2011, SEEAG will produce their final report and recommendations to ministers by the end of the year:

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/c/cfeactionplan2011.asp.

The study of science and maths in the later years of secondary is currently in a strong position, making up four of the top five subjects at Higher, and the top three Advanced Highers taken in the 2010-11 session. Under Curriculum for Excellence schools will be able to offer a breadth of choice in the senior phase, enabling pupils to continue to study a range of STEM subjects.

Curriculum for Excellence, along with the work of the Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group (SEEAG) we established, is intended to strengthen the place and popularity of science, technology, engineering and maths in our schools. SEEAG will produce their final report and recommendations to ministers by the end of the year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02801 on 29 September 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

There is a statutory requirement to provide 475 hours (12.5 per week) of free nursery school provision.

The Scottish Government is, however, committed to the continued expansion of early learning and childcare provision, focussing initially on those from deprived backgrounds. We are currently exploring options for doing so.

I have recently met with several third sector organisations with an interest in the availability of flexible, accessible, affordable childcare provision. This particular issue of increasing flexibility in the hours for which free pre-school provision can be claimed has not been raised with me.

All local authorities are delivering the statutory requirement of 475 hours of free pre-school education. There is local variability in terms of additional pre-school provision; such as provision beginning closer to the date of a child’s third birthday, provision for vulnerable two-year-olds and expanded provision of 570 hours. However, monitoring information on additional provision is not collated centrally.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02763 on 28 September 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

It is for local authorities to decide how to deliver the statutory requirement of 475 hours per year of free pre-school provision for three and four year olds, on the basis of local priorities and needs. The Scottish Government provides local authorities with the vast majority of their funding, including funding for pre-school, by means of a block grant.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02765 on 28 September 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.