- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions ministers have refused authorisation for changes to the provision of denominational education.
Answer
Ministerial consentfor such changes in provision is required only in certain prescribed circumstances.Since 1999, ministers have given their consent in all such cases where it has beenapplied for.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has to support the position that the educational advantages offered by small schools are “more than offset by the richer and more secure environment of a larger establishment where there is a larger pool of ideas, expertise and resources”, as outlined in East Ayrshire Council’s consultation document, Better Schools: Better Learning - A Strategy for Developing the School Estate.
Answer
It would be for EastAyrshire Council, whose report is quoted, to answer any questions about it.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that small schools provide adequate opportunities for pupils to develop social skills.
Answer
It is for individuallocal authorities to consider how best to provide opportunities through policiesand curriculum programmes for pupils to develop social skills.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the curriculum for excellence can be satisfactorily delivered in small rural schools.
Answer
The values, purposesand principles of Curriculum for Excellence are not dependent on structures. It is for individual authorities to consider how best to providean enriched curriculum for pupils in order to maximise the educational benefitsfor pupils.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns about the quality of education provided in St Xavier’s Primary School, East Ayrshire.
Answer
The quality of educationin St Xavier’s Primary School is the responsibility of East Ayrshire Council.We expect East Ayrshire Council to take the necessary action to secure continuous improvementin their schools and our experience is that this is happening.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that small schools can provide the appropriate range of extra-curricular activities.
Answer
It isfor individual authorities to consider how best to provide an enriched curriculumfor pupils in order to maximise the educational benefits for pupils, including opportunitiesfor personal achievement.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines a rural school.
Answer
There is no legal definitionof a rural school in Scotland. However, for statistical purposes the ScottishGovernment classifies any school located in an “accessible rural”, “remote rural”or “very remote rural” settlement as a rural school. These definitions form partof our urban / rural classification, the details of which are available on the ScottishGovernment website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/07/31114822/0.
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are required to take account of placing requests when considering the closure of small rural schools.
Answer
Statute does not prescribewhich specific issues shall be taken account of by authorities when consideringwhether to close a school, rural or urban. Pupil rolls and projections and all thefactors which may bear on them will very likely be relevant considerations in mostcases, as reflected in recently reissued guidance to local authorities on changesto the school estate. A copy of the guidance is available in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre (Bib. number 43920).
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive how it takes account of local circumstances and social factors when considering whether to authorise the closure of rural schools.
Answer
The Scottish Governmentre-issued comprehensive guidance to local authorities on proposals for changes tothe school estate on 11 October 2007 setting out howministers expect councils to handle all school closure proposals, whether or notrequiring ministerial consent. A copy is available in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre (Bib. number 43920).
- Asked by: Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2007
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that small schools can provide a learning environment that promotes confidence, responsible citizenship and the opportunity to contribute effectively.
Answer
It isfor individual authorities to consider how best to provide an enriched curriculumfor pupils in order to maximise the educational benefits for pupils.
