- Education Secretary outlines priorities
Education Secretary has written to teachers,
education leaders and staff across Scotland setting out her
priorities for the sector.
These include reforming education for the benefit of all
learners, and continuing to close the poverty-related attainment
gap.
The letter reads:
To Scotland’s teachers and school leaders,
It is a great honour to have been appointed to the role of
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. As you may know, I
spent a decade working in education before entering politics. I
recognise first-hand how dedicated and committed our teachers and
support staff are to giving our children and young people the
best opportunities to succeed in life.
The Covid-19 pandemic was a sharp reminder of just how important
education is to our communities. I know how challenging it was
for our young people - just as I know how challenging it was for
our teachers and staff in school. I want to thank you all for
your hard work and professionalism throughout that time. You
stepped up when Scotland’s young people needed you most. Thank
you.
We need to now focus on rebuilding, together, for the benefit of
Scotland’s children and young people - and I firmly believe that
post-pandemic we have a unique opportunity to do so.
There are many strengths in our education system which we must
use as our foundation; equally I know of the challenges that the
Covid legacy has created in our classrooms and school
communities. I want to work with you on how we can address those
challenges and opportunities together.
Undeniably, we are at a crucial point in setting out the future
through a comprehensive programme of education reform. The
National Discussion on Education and the Independent Review of
Qualifications and Assessment (Hayward Review) will conclude
soon. This work includes the reform of our national bodies as we
work to establish the new agencies.
These new organisations will need to work better to meet the
needs of our young people - but they also need to work better to
support you, our educators.
The educational landscape which existed when the Scottish
Attainment Challenge launched in February 2015 is markedly
different. The cost of living crisis has deepened inequity; but
it further necessitates our relentless focus on closing the
poverty related attainment gap.
High quality learning and teaching is crucial to help disrupt the
impact of poverty in our education system. Our schools have a key
role to play in driving ambition and attainment; through
promoting a culture of high expectations and excellence for all.
Excellent teachers are fundamental to that endeavour - I want to
make sure you have the necessary support and opportunity to
fulfil that expectation.
Furthermore, I am committed to delivering excellence and equity
in school education through empowering and supporting our
teaching profession and putting learner’s needs at the centre. We
will ensure that teachers and practitioners across the education
system can access the high-quality support and professional
learning they need. Our new national education bodies will be
central to this, with clear roles and responsibilities to support
this work collaboratively across the sector.
Scottish education is at an important juncture. The future for
Scotland’s next generation depends on those of you who work in
our education system. From our school janitors to our secretaries
in school offices; from our catering staff to our Headteachers;
from our classroom support assistants to our teachers - all of
you make up the myriad of support provided to Scotland’s children
and young people in our schools. All of you are valued.
As the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, I am committed
to working with you to make sure the next steps on reform deliver
real improvements, with partnership with our teaching profession
as my guiding principle.
I look forward to working with you all, for the benefit of
Scotland’s children and young people.
