This edition marks 10 years since the first issue of Informed Scotland! As long-standing subscribers and followers know, each year at this point I like to remind us all that in May 2012 youth unemployment in Scotland stood at a miserable 23.1%. It currently stands at a much improved 5.6%, which looks even more impressive when […]
Issue 100 includes key Covid-19 guidance and announcements up to 5 May. With the Easter break in April and local government elections approaching, it was a relatively quiet month for learning & skills, with no major announcements. There are a number of items worth highlighting, however: The Open University’s report with Public Sector Executive on […]
Issue 99 includes key Covid-19 guidance and announcements up to 11 April. The hottest learning & skills topic in March was Prof Ken Muir’s eagerly anticipated report for school education reforms: the replacement of the SQA, the reform of Education Scotland and removal of its inspection function. We’ve provided subscribers with a helpful Annex containing […]
February was a relatively calm month in learning & skills terms. The most significant item was the report of the ‘comprehensive, end-to-end’ review of career services commissioned by Skills Development Scotland a year ago. The Scottish Government has given the green light to all ten recommendations, so the Career Review Programme Board is now taking […]
Issue 97 includes key Covid-19 guidance and announcements up to and including 10 February. Closing the poverty-related attainment gap continues to be a stubborn problem. Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels 2020/21 reported that the attainment gap in literacy and numeracy for primary pupils had increased. And the National Improvement Framework Interactive Evidence Report showed […]
Which learning & skills topics appeared on the most covers of Informed Scotland over the past year? Here’s the ninth annual list. =1. COVID-19 – impact, support & recovery (1 in 2020) =1. Digital skills & inclusion (3) =1. Skills shortages & gaps – upskilling, reskilling & recovery (=5) =4. Developing & supporting the young […]