Beatrice Wishart

11 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31360 by John Swinney on 4 September 2020, whether it will answer the question that was asked regarding what information it received about the tolerable range that was employed by the SQA ahead of the exam results moderation, and for what reason it …

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31360. I was informed of the details of the moderation process on 30 July 2020.  

11 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31365 by John Swinney on 4 September 2020, whether it will answer the question asked regarding whether it planned to use a similar system of moderation for the 2020-21 exams before it announced that “details will be provided separately before school…

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31792 on 28 September 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusin…

11 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31364 by John Swinney on 4 September 2020, on what date the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills was informed of the outcome of the moderated exam results, and whether it will place details of the minutes of all discussions and copies of all c…

Answer · John Swinney: I was informed of the outcome of the moderated exam results on Thursday 30 July in a briefing meeting with officials and the SQA. A range of information related to this period has already been released following Freedom of Information requests and is availabl…

9 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Information Commissioner.

2 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the fishing industry in relation to wind farm developments.

27 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31291 by John Swinney on 26 August 2020, how much funding was allocated to each local authority, and how this was calculated.

Answer · John Swinney: As agreed with COSLA, funding allocations to each local authority were based on a distribution formula calculated on the basis of deprivation (70%) and rurality (30%). Agreed amounts allocated are detailed in the following table:   LA Allocation Aberdeen …

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was made aware of the difference in exam moderation rates in different areas of affluence, and whether it will place a copy of the notification in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · John Swinney: I was informed of the broad outcomes from the 2020 SQA national qualifications on 30 July.  

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions and/or correspondence it had with the SQA after it was informed about the outcome of the moderated exam results, and whether it will place details of this in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · John Swinney: Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996, I directed the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to reverse all downgraded results to the original teacher estimates and to retain those results which were upgraded by SQA as set out in my statement to Parliament…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the revised plans for the 2020-21 exam season will be (a) confirmed and (b) announced by the Education Recovery Group.

Answer · John Swinney: We are taking action to prepare arrangements for the assessment of national qualifications in 2021. The Scottish Qualifications Authority has consulted on potential modifications to qualifications and the 2021 exam timetable. The responses to these consultati…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it received about the tolerable range that was employed by the SQA ahead of the exam results moderation.

Answer · John Swinney: I commissioned the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to develop an alternative approach to certification in the absence of the 2020 exam diet, consistent with their role as an independent awarding body. I was informed of the moderation outcome on 30 Jul…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it received regarding proposals to moderate exam results ahead of the proposed results being shared on 30 July 2020, and whether it will place copies of this in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · John Swinney: I was briefed on the alternative certification model when the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) published their outline approach, and I received a verbal briefing on 30 July on the detail of the process. Professor Mark Priestley is already looking at t…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it planned to use a similar system of moderation for the 2020-21 exams before it announced that “details will be provided separately before schools return on 11 August, regarding the approach for the assessment of national qualifications for the 2020-21 session”.

Answer · John Swinney: The Education Recovery Group, which I chair, is continuing to consider the recovery phase of the education system, including delivery of the assessment of national qualifications in 2020-2021. The Scottish Qualifications Authority recently consulted on poten…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information regarding moderated exam results was shared with (a) the Education Recovery Group and (b) other stakeholders ahead of the initial release of the results.

Answer · John Swinney: I confirm that detailed information relating to the moderation outcome was not shared with either the Education Recovery Group or other stakeholders in advance of publication of the Scottish Qualifications Authority results on 4 August. This is consistent wit…

18 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30515 by John Swinney on 20 July 2020, how many of the 25,000 laptops and tablets have been allocated to each local authority, and how the allocation was calculated.

Answer · John Swinney: A breakdown of the allocation of these devices by local authority is shown in the following table. All local authorities were asked whether they wished to use their funding allocation to obtain Chromebooks from this central pool of devices. 18 chose to do so,…

17 Aug 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the return of schools and the number of pupils and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.

11 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue provisional guidance to the dance sector to help it prepare for its indicative reopening in September 2020. 

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: On 17 August, the Scottish Government produced new guidance for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities with physical distancing and hygiene measures. This new guidance, created in collaboration with the sport and leisure sector, is an …

4 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30814 by Fergus Ewing on 27 July 2020, whether it will provide more information regarding the "robust yet proportionate measures" that have been taken "to maintain and enhance...marine compliance capabilities".

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Despite the very significant uncertainty that Brexit creates, the Scottish Government has taken a range of measures to protect our marine assets. This has not only included the deployment of an additional inshore patrol craft, with plans for a second craft an…

20 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available for islands' students studying on the mainland, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has provided a comprehensive package of support for students who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including:additional funding of £2.2 million for Higher Education (HE) students at college and university via the Discretionary Fun…

20 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending eligibility for Young Scot free ferry vouchers for island residents to people aged over 18 to help with the cost of travel to the mainland for study.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Young People provides two free return ferry journeys to the Scottish mainland each year for eligible island residents aged sixteen to eighteen. We have no current plans to extend these arrangements.  

20 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the future of Marine Scotland’s budget for fishery protection, in light of the UK Government’s decision to leave the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In all scenarios for Scotland’s future, the Scottish Government will continue to take a risk-based approach to marine compliance; focused on delivery of our statutory responsibilities and ensuring sustainable fisheries and robust protection of the marine envi…

20 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports by Shetland News on 12 June 2020 of an incident between the Shetland fishing vessel, Alison Kay, and the German-registered vessel, Pesorsa Dos.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland Compliance was made aware on 11 June of a conflict at sea involving two fishing vessels. This conflict was not a fishery offence but had the potential to endanger the lives and safety of fishermen and their vessels and is wholly unacceptable.…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it estimates that its commitment to provide 25,000 free laptops and tablets to children who need them in order to learn from home will have been met.

Answer · John Swinney: We expect that all 25,000 devices will be issued at the start of the new term in August. This is the first phase of our £25m commitment to tackling digital exclusion amongst children and young people. Funding offers have now been made to every Scottish local …

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment to provide 25,000 free laptops and tablets to assist schoolchildren learning from home, how many of each have been issued in each local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: Funding offers have been made to every Scottish local authority and each authority has flexibility to decide upon the split of devices and connectivity they require to meet local need. The breakdown of the initial 25,000 devices has not yet been fully determi…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment to provide 25,000 free laptops and tablets to children who need them in order to learn at home, how many children have been identified as being in need of such a device.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has committed to investing £25m to combat digital exclusion amongst children and young people. The 25,000 laptops are the first phase of that investment. We have worked closely with SOLACE, ADES and COSLA to establish the scale of need…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government regarding progressing an islands deal, and what was discussed.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the Islands Growth Deal and welcomes the significant progress made by Shetland Islands Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council and partners in developing project proposals. I spoke with Ia…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what professional learning is available to established teachers regarding how to (a) address any issues of racism and discrimination in their schools and (b) teach the social contexts of BAME people's experiences, and what information it has regarding the take-up of this, and what suppor…

Answer · John Swinney: As set out in the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) Standards for Professional Registration, all teachers in Scotland must have respect for social and cultural diversity at the heart of what they do, engage learners in real world issues and help …

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the next steps are for the short-term working group on diversity in the teaching profession, in light of the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Answer · John Swinney: Despite a small increase in the diversity of Scottish teaching in recent years, we acknowledge that there is still unacceptable under-representation of BAME teachers at all levels in Scotland’s schools – the Scottish Government continues to be committed as a …

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how (a) trainee, (b) probationary and (c) newly-qualified teachers are taught how to (i) address any issues of racism and discrimination in their schools and (ii) teach the social context of BAME people's experiences.

Answer · John Swinney: As set out in the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) Standards for Professional Registration, teachers are expected at all stages of their careers to demonstrate professional values and personal commitment to social justice and cultural diversity …

16 Jun 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting older people to keep connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

12 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on workers in the oil and gas industry who are not exempt from quarantine.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government was in regular contact with the UK Government regarding the introduction of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on 8 June, although I know from my own engagement in four nations …