Scottish Education Secretary John Swinney MSP has launched a review of Scotland’s education system that will hand schools new powers and bring greater parental involvement.
Mr Swinney ruled out the introduction of grammar schools, privately-run academies or a return to academic selection. Instead he proposed the introduction of new educational regions designed to support collaboration across schools and share best practice.
The proposals will see SQA maintain its role as an external examiner while school inspections will still be the responsibility of Education Scotland, which incorporates HM Inspectorate of Schools. Mr Swinney said:
"We will deliver effective local devolution to our schools, empowering our teachers and early years workers to make the best decisions for our young people.”
He announced a three-month consultation on the review, emphasising:
“Schools will not opt out of local authority control. That is not part of our plan.”
The Educational Institute of Scotland welcomed Mr Swinney’s decision that to schools will not be taken out of local authority control and the SNP's opposition to what is described as the “disasters” of free schools and academies in England.
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