Pre-school policy helps vulnerable

The expansion of pre-school education in Scotland has benefited  vulnerable children by intervening in their lives at a critical stage, a major report into the country’s education system has found.

There is now more awareness of the needs of vulnerable minority groups such as looked-after children, traveller children and asylum seekers, the review by the country’s senior chief inspector of education, Graham Donaldson, finds.

Many local authorities and education settings have strengthened policies on diversity, equality and fairness, the report adds.

It also praises the quality of Scotland’s special schools, saying they “commendably place a high priority on ensuring pupils develop self-confidence and social competence”.

Pupils, teachers, parents and councils were generally happy with provision and support in the sector.

The report highlights progress in interagency working, but says funding and accountability arrangements are “too fragmented”. There remains a need for multi-disciplinary staff development across all sectors.

There have been positive steps to ensure teachers and support staff have received child protection training, it adds.

Improving Scottish Education from www.hmie.gov.uk