Parliamentary questions
Fiona Hyslop
940 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it will conduct into the impact of composite classes on (a) pupil attainment and (b) teaching practices.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) commissioned The Scottish Council for Research and Education (SCRE) Centre in Glasgow University to review the research literature on composite classes in 2002. Copies of that report are available at: <P><A H…
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what academic research it has conducted into the views and attitudes of pupils in composite classes and what further research it will conduct in this area.
Answer · Peter Peacock: We have not conducted research into the views and attitudes of pupils in composite classes and have no such plans. It is unclear why the views and attitudes of children in composite classes should differ from those in other types of class formations.
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what academic research it has conducted into the views and attitudes of pupils on the delivery of reduced class si'es and what further research it will conduct in this area.
Answer · Peter Peacock: We are unaware of any research on pupils' views and attitudes to class sizes. We are currently considering future research options regarding the impact of class sizes but we have not yet agreed the scope or specification of the research.
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that teacher training takes into account alternative teaching styles and classroom organisation in preparation for the reduction of class si'es to 25 in P1.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Through the National Framework for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) we are encouraging existing teachers to identify their professional developmental needs and to undertake appropriate training to meet those needs. Prospective teachers will receive a…
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted into the impact of classroom assistants on pupil attainment and what the results of any such research have been.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive commissioned the Scottish Council for Research and Education (SCRE) in January 2000 to undertake an evaluation of the classroom assistant initiative.<P>The evaluation had three main aims. These were to:<P>explore the association between…
24 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1253 by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003, how much funding will be allocated to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in order to train 2,800 teachers by 2007.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The requirement to increase the teacher workforce to 53,000 by 2007 will require additional teachers to be trained. The precise number can only be identified through the annual teacher workforce planning exercises that will take place between now and 2007. Fu…
24 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1253 by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003, how much funding was allocated in order to meet its target of recruiting 1,000 teachers by 2002 and whether this funding was also delivered through the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The commitment to recruit 1,000 additional teachers was met through Excellence Fund programmes for Education Authorities. Advice offered to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) on the number of teachers required reflected this commitment. Spe…
24 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1263 by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003, when improvements to the physical environment of schools and other places where school education is provided, as planned by the initial accessibility strategies prepared under the Disability Strategies and Pupil…
Answer · Peter Peacock: Initial accessibility strategies plan for improvements to be implemented in access to the curriculum, physical access and access to school information for a period of up to three years. All subsequent accessibility strategies will cover three-year periods so …
24 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1263 by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003, whether the requirements of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be met for service providers using a school for purposes other than education or associated services when Part III comes into e…
Answer · Peter Peacock: From 1 October 2004, where a school is being used for purposes other than education or associated services it is the duty of the service provider to meet the requirements of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In relation to these services the…
24 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1263 by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003, how many schools in each local authority area have been used outwith school hours for purposes other than education or associated services in each year since 1999.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested is not held centrally.
3 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend the appointment of educational visit co-ordinators in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Guidance on health and safety on school trips is currently being reviewed. This review will include consideration of the question of the appointment of educational visit co-ordinators in schools.
3 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend the appointment of outdoor education advisors in local authorities.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Guidance on health and safety on school trips is currently being reviewed. This review will include consideration of the question of the appointment of outdoor education advisers in local authorities.
30 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether monies released by end-year flexibility are a sustainable source of funding for teacher training.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Teacher training is funded through annual grant in aid to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). This is included within our expenditure plans. End-year flexibility was used recently to increase the number of postgraduate students entering tea…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legislative framework is for health and safety issues on school trips.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Those responsible for schools must consider their common law obligations as well as any statutory duties in respect of the health and safety of staff and pupils on school trips. There are general legislative provisions for health and safety in the Health and …
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will facilitate the establishment of a central unit to co-ordinate health and safety issues in respect of school trips that involve taking pupils abroad.
Answer · Peter Peacock: We have no plans to facilitate the establishment of such a unit. The review of guidance which is currently under way will consider how best practice can be shared, not just in respect of school trips abroad.
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to schools to ensure the safety of pupils on school trips.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Local authorities and other managers of schools are responsible for taking reasonable care of pupils in their charge, and it is for them to consider what support it is necessary to give to schools in that context.
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities about health and safety issues on school trips.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Such guidance was issued by the Scottish Office in the form of a circular. This guidance is currently being reviewed by the Scottish Executive.
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what new initiatives will be introduced to increase teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The increase in teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007 is being discussed with education authorities, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and universities. Any new initiatives will be announced as and when appropriate.
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure that every school is an integrated community school by 2007, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer · Peter Peacock: We have committed more than £63 million over the next three years to support education authorities in rolling out the integrated community schools approach to all schools in their areas. Authorities and their partner agencies are also expected to make a finan…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be set aside to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer · Euan Robson: In the spending review the Executive has allocated over £20 million for 2003-04 to 2005-06 to improving outcomes for looked-after children, which will include elements to support adoptive parents and foster carers. In addition, the Executive has allocated £30…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it will introduce to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive is currently working with partners in local authorities and the voluntary sector to take forward policies to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents.<P>The report of the first phase of our adoption polic…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants to the Teacher Induction Scheme have not taken up the place offered to them.
Answer · Peter Peacock: One thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five students were offered places on the Teacher Induction Scheme at the beginning of June. As at 7 July, 75 have indicated that they will not take up the places they have been offered.<P>The table indicates the reasons w…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all schools will meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in respect of access to buildings by 1 October 2004.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Part IV of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 places duties on education authorities not to discriminate against a disabled pupil in the education or associated services provided for, or offered to, pupils at the school by that body. Furthermore, educatio…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what form annual progress plans, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland, will take and how such plans will differ from annual reports.
Answer · Euan Robson: Work is under way to improve reporting to parents as part of the Assessment Development Programme. The form of annual progress plans is currently under consideration and will draw on a series of consultations with groups of parents planned for autumn 2003. An…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all students will be able to learn the instrument of their choice when they undertake the 12 months' free music tuition by primary 6, referred to in A Partnership for A Better Scotland.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Local authorities are responsible for the range of music tuition opportunities they plan to make available to pupils. They have been asked to address the need to offer a diverse spread of provision as a condition of the additional funding being made available…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding for the Millennium Volunteers programme will be extended beyond September 2003.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Volunteer Development Scotland to undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of our current strategy for volunteering, including the future of the Millennium Volunteers programme. Accordingly, funding for the programme will extend until 31 Dece…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will allocate to youth cafis.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Funding for Youth CAFEs (Community Alcohol Free Environments) is provided within resources allocated to local authorities and NHS boards but is not identified specifically by the Executive. The plans of Alcohol Action Teams will allow us to assess the current…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the training of additional teachers will have on the funding allocated to implement the McCrone settlement agreed with local authorities in March 2003.
Answer · Peter Peacock: We are committed to the full implementation of the agreement <I>A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century</I>. The training of any additional teachers arising from <I>A</I> <I>Partnership for a Better Scotland</I> will not affect the funding of that agreemen…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, probationer teachers trained in the north east received places in that region under the Teacher Induction Scheme.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Two hundred and sixty-four Aberdeen University students applied to join the Teacher Induction Scheme in August 2003. One hundred and thirty-two (50%) have been allocated either to Aberdeen City Council or Aberdeenshire Council.<P>Of the other 132, 60 (23% of …
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the Minister for Education and Young People decided which the subjects are where attainment is most important, as referred to in its news release SEED244/2003 of 25 June 2003.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive's response to the national debate "Educating for Excellence" emphasised our commitment to better standards of literacy and numeracy and to make the best use of specialist teachers in both primary and secondary. Those commitmen…