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Scottish Government are currently developing options for a National Digital Academy.

Initial conversations have been held within the National e-Learning Offer Working Group (which includes representatives from the RICs, EIS, e-Sgoil, WestOS and Education Scotland). In addition, a Discovery process has been undertaken with all 32 local authorities regarding the future of Glow – the National Learning and Teaching Platform which will inform considerations. Further engagement with these parties and others (including direct user research with teachers and learners where required) will take place during the development of the options.

The National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) will be developed with stakeholders to achieve sustainable management of our seas, support coastal communities, safeguarding of existing sectors and protection of the marine environment.

The £140 million indicated in the Capital Spending Review was for the years 2023-24 to 2025-26. As you will be aware, the current Budget allocates £13m of capital funding for 2023-24. As reported by the Deputy First Minister on 21 November, that £13 million has been announced as part of the budget savings required to reach a balanced budget.

The Scottish Government will consider this point as part of wider discussions with SEPA around the recommendations arising from the review, and will issue its response in due course.

Scottish Government are currently developing options for a National Digital Academy. A core team of four officials within Education Scotland are currently working together on the development of options. Other officials within Education Scotland and Scottish Government are also inputting as necessary to this work.

Scottish Government are currently developing options for a National Digital Academy. Accordingly, specific formal progress reports have not been produced or published.

Under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004, local authorities have duties to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils, including those who are deaf or deafblind. Local authorities are supported in implementing their duties under the 2004 Act through the statutory code of practice on additional support for learning. Where a teacher wholly or mainly teaches a pupil who is deaf or deafblind, local authorities have a duty to ensure they are appropriately qualified.

The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Sensory Centre to provide advice and training to school staff on support for children and young people with specific communication and sensory needs. Education Scotland has also developed a professional learning resource which seeks to support staff to engage more effectively with BSL users.

On 6 November, we published the BSL National Plan 2023 to 2029, which includes an action focussed on increasing the opportunities for Teachers of the Deaf to gain the highest possible qualification in BSL. Progress will be overseen by the BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group. An update report will be published in 2026.

The Scottish Government has also outlined in our Programme for Government 2023-24 that Ministers will work with teachers to provide additional professional learning opportunities while seeking to build on the Additional Support for Learning Action Plan.

Under The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that teachers employed to teach pupils who are deaf or deafblind hold an appropriate qualification. Local Authorities are supported in implementing these duties through our national guidance . We are working with partners to update this guidance to ensure staff have the latest advice on routes to professional qualification.

The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Sensory Centre to provide advice and training to school staff on support for children and young people with specific communication and sensory needs, including BSL users. Education Scotland has also developed a professional learning resource which seeks to support practitioners to engage more effectively with BSL users.

On 6 November, we published the BSL National Plan 2023 to 2029, which includes an action focussed on increasing the opportunities for Teachers of the Deaf to gain the highest possible qualification in BSL. Progress will be overseen by the BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group. An update report will be published in 2026.

Teachers employed in Scottish schools are required to be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) by law. They are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the GTCS Professional Standards which include having knowledge and understanding of the ways in which natural, social, cultural, political and economic systems function and of how they are interconnected to professional practice. Teachers must also take account of the Code of Professionalism and Conduct which sets out key principles and values for all teachers to uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity.

We will establish an Implementation Advisory Group for the BSL National Plan 2023-2029, utilising the experience of the group to strengthen delivery. The group will consist of organisations representing the deaf and deafblind community. We are currently establishing the membership of this group.