Question reference: S5W-35819
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 March 2021
-
Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 17 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35355 by John Swinney on 1 March 2021, what duties there are on school leaders to ensure that (a) the curriculum and (b) teaching is politically neutral.
Answer
School leaders are expected to develop their school level curriculum with cognisance of a range of factors, including the national curriculum framework which is politically neutral in its formulation, local circumstance, the specific needs of their learners and staffing structure.
The ‘How We do It’ section within the Refreshed Curriculum Narrative sets out the main considerations which school leaders will wish to take account in formulating their school level curriculum, including Understanding the learners, Being clear on practical approaches, Using meaningful learning networks, Knowing your own learning and support needs and Knowing the big ideas. https://scotlandscurriculum.scot/5/
Within the General Teaching Council Professional Standards for Leadership and Management school leaders are expected to have an enhanced understanding of the dynamics of political power and influence in the relationship between schools and society, and the consequent implications for the work of their organisation. They should understand the political and social context and the ways in which this impacts on schools and those within schools, taking account of this in their leadership and management practices. School leaders are all registered teachers and must also take account of the Code of Professionalism and Conduct which sets out key principles and values for all teachers including a need to uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity.